legion and all the ayd he could leuie in the prouince on the banke of Danubium as an ayd to the conquered and a terror to the conquerer least puffed vp with prosperous fortune they would so disturb our peace For an infinite power of the Ligians and other nations were comming drawen with the fame of the wealth of Vannius kingdome which for thirtie yeeres space he had enriched with pillages and tributes Vannius owne forces consisted in footemen his horsemen were of Sarmates called Iazygiens vnable to encounter the multitude of the enemies power and therefore defended himselfe in fortresses and purposed to protract the warre But the Iazygiens not able to indure to be besieged but wandering and wasting the champion adioyning droue Vannius to a necessitie of fighting because Ligius and Hermundurus were pressing in on the backs of them Vannius therfore issuing out of his fort lost the battell but not without honor euen in his distresse because in person he shunned not the battell and face to face receiued wounds in his bodie and at last fled to his shipping which waited for him in Danubium by and by his vassals following him hauing receiued land to dwell in planted themselues in a part of Hungaria The kingdome Vangio and Sido parted betweene them shewing great loyaltie towards vs. Their subiects either for their desert or such being the disposition of those which are kept vnder whilest they were yet a getting the kingdome shewed them all tokens of loue and affection but after they had gotten it as the greater their loue before so the greater their hatred after VIII Ostorius gouernor of great Britannia gaineth a battell against the Iceni and tooke Caractacus King of the same countrey and sent him to Rome The warres of the Romaines against the Siluri POstorius Propretor of Britannia at his landing found all in an vprore the enemie ranging the allies countrey and vsing so much the greater violence bicause he thought the new captaine as vnacquainted with his armie and the winter also begun would not come foorth to encounter him But he knowing well that the first successe breedeth either feare or confidence gathered with speede his readiest cohorts made toward the enemie slaying those which made head against him pursued the residue stragled abroad for feare least they should ioyne againe and least a faithles and cloaked peace should neither giue the captaine nor the souldier any rest he disarmed those he suspected and hemmed them in with garrisons betweene Antona and Sabrina Which the Iceni first of all refused a strong people and vnshaken with warres because that of their owne motion they had sought our alliance and amitie and at their instigation the people adioyning chose a place to fight compassed in with a rude and common trench and narrow entrance to hinder the comming in of horsemen That fence the Roman Captaine although he wanted the strength of the legions went about to force with the aide of the allies alone and hauing placed his cohorts in rankes setteth the troupes of horsemen in alike readines to their busines then giuing the signe of battell brake the rampire and disordered the enimies in their owne fortresses Who stroken in conscience with a remorse for their rebellion and seeing all passages of escaping stopped vp shewed great courage and valoure in defending themselues In which fight M. Ostorius the Lieutenants sonne deserued the honour of sauing a citizen But by the slaughter of the Iceni those which wauered betweene warre and peace were quieted and the armie lead against the Cangi Whose countrey they wasted and spoiled the enimie not daring to shew himselfe in fielde or if priuily and by stealth they attempted to cut off any which dragged behind they payed for their comming Now the Roman armie was come neere vnto the sea coast which lookes towards Ireland when as certaine tumults sproong vp among the Brigantes brought backe the Captaine certainly resolued not to attempt any new matter vntill he had setled the old But as for the Brigantes some fewe put to death which first began to take armes the residue being pardoned all were quieted The Siluri could neither by crueltie nor faire meanes be hindered from making warre and therefore no remedie left to keepe them vnder but with a garrison of legionarie soldiers The which to performe more easily a colonie called Camalodunum of a strong companie of old souldiers was brought into the subdued countrey as an aide and safegard against the rebels and inducement to the confederates to the obseruation of lawes From thence they marched against the Siluri besides their owne courage trusting to Caractacus strength who hauing waded thorow manie dangers and in manie aduentures prosperous and luckie had gotten such reputation that he was preferred before all the British Captaines But in craft and skilfulnes of the countrey hauing the aduantage on vs but weaker in strength remoueth the war to the Ordouices and there all those ioyning to him which feared our peace resolued to hazard the last chaunce chusing a place for the battell where the comming in and going out was verie incommodious to vs and to his great aduantage Then they got to the top of a hill and if there were any easie passage vnto them they stopped it vp with heapes of stones as it were in maner of a rampire Not farre off ranne a riuer with an vncertaine foord where a great troupe of his best soldiers were readie in order before the rampire Besides this the leaders went about exhorted and incouraged the souldiers taking all occasion of feare from them and putting them in hope with all other inducements of warre And Caractacus coursing hither thither protested That that day and that battell should be either the beginning of the recouering of their libertie or perpetuall seruitude He called vpon the names of his auncestors which chased Caesar the Dictator out of the Ile by whose valour they were deliuered from hatchets and tributes and inioyed freely their wiues and childrens bodies vndefiled Whilest he vttered these or the like speeches the people made a noise about him and euerie man swore according to the religion of his countrey that he would yeeld neither for wounds nor armes That courage and cheerefulnes greatly astonied the Roman Captaine and considering the riuer before his face the forte they had cast vp the high hils which hanged ouer them all things deadly to thē and commodious for the enimie droue him into a doubt of the successe Neuerthelesse the souldier demaunded battell crying that there was nothing which valour could not ouercome The Prefects and Tribunes vsing the like speeches greatly incensed the ardour and courage of the rest The Ostorius hauing viewed what places were of hard passage and which of easie leadeth his armie boiling with choler with small difficultie ouer the riuer But when we were come to the rampire as long as we fought with throwing of dartes we receiued most
their auncient renowne of warres excell the rest in seruice of horse and the Catteans deserue no greater commendation for footemen then the Tencterians for horsemen So did their predecessors ordaine it and successors follow it These are the childrens pastimes this the emulation betwixtyong men and old men continue the same and horses are deliuered as rights of inheritance among the familie and the sonnes receiue them though not the eldest but he who is most couragious and likeliest to make a marshall man Hard by the Tencteri in times past the Bructeri did inhabit but now it is reported that the Chamauians and Angriuarians are entred into that countrey and wholie rooted out and chased the Bructerians by agreement of nations adioyning either as hating them for their pride or for sweetnes of pray or some fauor of the gods towards vs as not denying vs the spectacle of the battel wherein there were slaine threescore thousand not by the Roman armes and weapons but which is more glorious to shew vs pastime and please our eye I wish that if those people cannot loue vs that they would hate one another seeing that the state of the Empire fatally declining fortune can do vs no greater fauor then sowe sedition among the enemies The Angriuarians and Chamauians haue behinde them the Dulgibini and Chasuari and other nations not greatly spoken of and before them the Frisians The Frisians are called great or small according to their strength the Rhene bordering both vnto the Ocean and besides that do comprehend huge and spacious lakes which the Roman nauie hath past yea and the Ocean itselfe we haue entred into and tried on that side And the fame goeth that Hercules pillers are yet there to be seene either because Hercules went so farre or else because by common consent all that is any where magnificall is attributed to his renowme Drusus Germanicus wanted not courage but the Ocean hindered vs for being ouer inquisitiue of him or Hercules After that no man assayed to do it as being an act of greater deuotion and reuerence to beleeue the actions of the gods rather then know them Hitherto we haue seene the West part of Germanie towards the North it goeth bowing with a great compas And first of all the people of the Chauceans although they begin at the Frisians and possesse part of the shore coast all those nations I haue made mention of vntill they wind into the Catti and so spacious and huge countrey the Chauci do not only hold but fill likewise of all the German nation the noblest and desirous to maintaine their greatnes by iustice without couetousnes or vnbrideled lust quiet and retired stirre vp no warres neuer waste spoile nor rob And which is a speciall marke of their valour and strength they got not their superioritie ouer others by any wrongs offered Yet they are all readie for warre and if occasion require to make an armie wanting neither horse nor men and although they lie quiet yet their reputation is neuer the lesser On the side of the Chauci and Catti the Cherusci haue nourished long beeing neuer prouoked an idle and lazie peace which was more sweet than safe vnto them bicause there is no sure peace betweene stirring and strong people For when the matter is come to hand-strokes modestie and good dealing be termes which belong to superiors So the Cherusci in times past good and iust are now called cowards and fooles and the fortune of the Catti being fauourable is cause that they are counted wise The Fosi a people bordering vpon the Cherusci are touched with their ruine companions in their aduersitie though in prosperitie they were inferiour vnto them Neere vnto the same coast of the Ocean the Cimbrians inhabite now a small people but highly renowned hauing yet remaining certaine markes of their old glotie to wit on both the bankes trenches and lodges by the circuit of which thou maist yet measure the greatnes and strength of that nation and beleeue the number of so great an armie It was sixe hundred and fortie yeeres after the foundation of our citie before the Cimbrians armes were heard of when Caecilius Metellus and Papirius Carbo were Consuls From that time vnto the second time that the Emperor Traian was Consull by iust account are two hundred and ten yeeres and so many yeeres we were a conquering Germanie In the middle time there were many losses on both parts Not the Samnites not the Carthagineans not the Spaniards or the Gallois no not the Parthian haue so often troubled vs the libertie of the Germans being more earnest than the kingdome of the Arsacides For what can the East obiect against vs sauing the death of Crassus when he had defeated Pacorus before troden downe by Ventidius But the Germans hauing either slaine or taken Carbo and Cassius and Scaurus Aurelius and Seruilius Cepio and M. Manlius haue defeated also fiue Consularie armies and Varus with three legions in Caesars time neither haue C. Marius in Italie or Iulius in Gallia Drusus and Nero and Germanicus molested them in their houses without blowes After that C. Caesars great threatnings were turned to a iest Then there was quietnes vntill our ciuill warres gaue them occasion when they had taken the standing campes of the legions to haue a desire to enter Gallia from whence being againe driuen out in late times they haue beene rather triumphed ouer then vanquished VI. The Sueuians and other people NOw we will speake of the Sueui which are not one nation as the Catti and Tencteri and possessing the greater part of Germanie and seuered by peculiar names and countries although by one generall name they be called Sueui whose marke is to curle their haire and tie it on knots By that the Sueuian is distinguished from the other Germans and the free borne Sueuian from the bond man That in other countries is vsed also but seldome times either for affinitie with the Sueuians or as it often happeneth by imitation and whilest they be yoong but the Sueuians euen vntill they be old and gray haue their haire standing an end and often tie it on the crown only princes weare it after a finer fashion That is the harmelesse care they haue of their beautie For they vse it not either to winne loue or be beloued but turne it vp to a certaine height to seeme to the enimie more terrible when they go thus trimmed to the warre The Semnones say they are the most auncient of the Sueuians and the most noble The credit of their antiquitie they confirme with this ceremonie At certaine times all of one blood meet by their deputies in a wood reputed holy by the auguration of their forefathers and auncient reuerence where publickly killing a man they celebrate the barbarous beginnings of their ceremonie Yet there is another reason why the wood is had in reuerence No man entereth into it but bound with somewhat as an inferiour person and acknowledging the power of the god
forbearing from rest turned all the waters which rose in the mountaines into the vnder grounds whereupon the plaine being drownd and so much of the worke ouerthrowne as they had cast vp the Romaine souldier was put to a double labour XIIII The Romans escape a great danger through the good conduct of Caecina CAEcina had then in qualitie of a soldier of commander fortie yeere receiued pay and therefore being acquainted as well with the changeable euents of fortune as prosperous successes fell nothing at all in courage but pondering in his minde what might follow found nothing more expedient then to inclose the enimie in the wood vntill the wounded and the cariages were gotten before For betwixt the hils and the marshes there stretched out a plaine capable of a small armie The legions were so placed that the fift shoulde be in the right flancke the one and twentieth in the left the first to lead and the twentieth to defende if they were pursued The night was vnquiet for diuers respects the barbarous enimie in feasting and banketting songs of ioie and hideous outcries filled the valleies and woods which redoubled the sounde againe The Romans had small fires broken voices laie neere the trenches went from tent to tent rather disquieted and not able to sleepe then watchfull The generall had that night a heauie dreame which droue him into a feare for he thought that he had seene Quinctilius Varus rising out of those bogs embrued all in bloud calling him by name and stretching out his hand towards him which he thrust backe refusing to follow At daie breaking the legions appointed for the flankes either for feare or contempt abandoned their standings and seased on the fielde adioining beyond the marshes Arminius although hee might safely haue assaulted them yet forbare a time But he no sooner perceiued their bag and baggage to sticke in the mire and ditches and the souldiers troubled about it disbanded and out of order and the ensignes confusedly disordered as it falleth out in such times euery man busie to helpe himselfe and deafe to harken what was commanded but he encharged the Germaines to breake in crieng aloud Behold Varus and the legions once againe vanquished by the same destinie Hauing thus saide accompanied with a choise band of horsemen breaketh the rankes of the Romans and especially woundeth their horses which slipping by reason of their owne bloud and moisture of the bogs ouerthrowing their masters either trode vnderfeete or scattered all they met Much a doo they had about the ensignes which they could neither beare vp the shot came so thicke nor pitch on the ground it was so mirie Whilest Caecina maintaineth battell his horse was killed vnder him from which being fallen he had been taken by the enimie if the first legion had not opposed herselfe The greedines of the enimie was some helpe vnto them being more thirstie of pillage then bloud whereby the legions had leisure towards the euening to win the open firme land And yet their miseries did not thus end They had defences to make and stuffe wherewithall to seeke their tooles to cast vp earth or cut turfes were almost all lost tentes they had none to couer them nor medicaments to heale the wounded and diuiding their meate partly stained with bloud or beraied with dirt they bewailed that vnfortunate darknes and that onely daie left for so many thousands to liue By meere chance a horse brake loose in the campe and praunsing vp and downe affrighted with noise ouerthrew all he met in his waie which stroake such a feare and terror in the souldiers harts that thinking the Germans had broken vpon them ran all to the gates of the campe and especially to the Decumana which was farthest from the enimie and safest to flee awaie Caecina being assured that it was but a vaine feare yet not being able either by his authoritie entreatie or forcible meanes to staie their fleeing cast himselfe a crosse the gate and so mooued them to pitie stopping the passage bicause they would not tread on their captaines bodie The Tribunes and Centurions shewed them withall that their seare was false and without cause Then assembling them in the Principia and commanding silence admonished them of the time and necessitie they stoode in That their safetie onely consisted in their weapons which yet they were to moderate by discretion keeping still within their trench vntill the enimie with hope to breake vpon them should drawe neere and that then they shoulde rush out on euerie side and so get to the riuer of Rhene Whereas if they should flie they should passe through more woods finde deeper bogs and the enimie more cruell then euer but by conquering they shoulde purchase glorie and renowme putting them in mind of those things which were esteemed deere at home and of credit in campe not once mentioning their disgraces and aduersities This done he assigned to the most couragious a horse beginning with his owne then with the Tribunes and Centurions not respecting calling or quality to the end that they should first inuade the enimie and the footemen follow The Germains what with hope what with greedines of praie what with disgreeing opinions of captaines were as much disquieted as the Romaines Arminius thought it best to suffer them come out of their fort and set on them in the bogs and marshes but Inguiomerus aduise though more cruell was most pleasing to the barbarians which was that they should besiege the campe perswading that by that means the assault would be easier more captiues taken and the bootie entire and vntouched Assoone then as it was day they beate down the trenches filled them vp with hurdles grappled vp to the toppe of the trench fewe souldiers resisting them and those all stocke still in amaze The cohorts within had the alarum giuen the cornets and trumpets sounded and with a great clamour sallied out couragiouslie and hemmed the enimie in casting in their teeth that heere there were neither woods nor quagmiers but the places and the gods indifferent to both The enimies imagining it but an easie conquest and that there were but a fewe to resist and those but halfe armed hearing the sound of the trumpets and seeing the glittering of the armour which seemed so much the greater by how much the lesse they were esteemed on a sudden were beaten downe and slaine as men in prosperitie greedy and in aduersitie vncircumspect Arminius and Inguiomerus fled th'one not hurt and the other greeuously wounded The common sort were slaine as long as the daie and anger lasted the legions returned at night to their forte And although there were more wounded then the day before and no lesse want of victuales yet with the victorie they thought they had recouered strength courage health and all other necessaries XV. The danger the legions vvere in vnder Vitellius Tiberius renevveth the lavv of treason IT was noised abroad in the meane season that the legions were besieged and that the
defend them passed ouer the horsemen at the foord Stertinius and Aemilius sometime captaine of the principall ensigne were the leaders who seperated themselues farre one from the other to deuide the enemies forces Carioualda Captaine of the Batauians where the riuer was swiftest sallied out the Cherusci making as though they fled tolled them to a plaine enuironed with woods and there turning againe and spreading abroad droue back those which made head hotly pursued those which shrunke then being gathered round in a ring ouerthrew them some neere some farre off Carioualda hauing long sustained the brunt of the enemie exhorted his souldiers closely together to breake into the enemie troupes himselfe venturing amongst the thickest was beaten downe with darts and his horse killed vnder him and many noble men about him The rest either through their owne valour or aide of the horsemen with Stertinius and Aemilius escaped danger When Caesar had passed the riuer Visurgis he vnderstoode by a fugitiue from the enemie campe what place Arminius had chosen to giue battell and that other nations were assembled in a wood consecrated to Hercules with intention to assaile the camp by night The runnagate was beleeued lights were seene and the espiales getting neerer reported they heard a great confuse noise of men and horses Being therefore at a iumpe to hazard all thinking it conuenient to founde the souldiers minde he bethought himselfe what was the fittest expedient to trie the truth The Tribunes and Centurions brought him oftener pleasing then true newes the freed men were of a seruile disposition in friends therewas flatterie if he should call an assembly that which a few should begin the rest would applaude That their minds would be best knowen when they were by themselues not ouerlooked in eating and drinking they would vtter their feare or hope As soone as it was night going out at the Augural gate accompanied with one alone in secret and vnknowen places to the watch casting a sauage beasts skin on his backe he went from one place to another stoode listning at the tents and ioyeth in the praise of himselfe some extolling the nobilitie of their Captaine others his comely personage many his patience and courtesie that in sports and serious matters he was still one man confessing therefore that they thought it their parts to make him some requitall in this battell and sacrifice the traitors and peace-breakers to reuenge and glory IIII. Arminius and the Germans ouerthrow AMidst these things one of the enimie campe skilfull in the Latine toong riding close to the trench promiseth a lowd in Arminius name wiues and lands a hundred sesterces a day as long as the war cōtinued if any would flee from the Romans and come to his side That brauado did greatly exasperate the legious wishing among themselues O that the day were come that we might once come to ioine battell with them saying that they would take possession of the Germans lands and bring away their wiues by force They accepted of their words as a presage and vowed they would haue their wiues and money for a bootie About the third watch the enimie assailed the campe but threw no dart bicause he perceiued many in a readines to defend their fortes and no man remisse in his charge The same night Germanicus in a pleasant dreame thought he had beene offering of sacrifice and that his pretext or robes of his infancie had beene sprinkled with holy blood and that he receiued another at the hands of Augusta his grandmother Emboldned with that dreame and the Augures foretelling lucky successe concurring with it he called the soldiers to an assembly and declared vnto them what things by wisedome he had foreseene and what he thought expedient for the imminent danger of the battell That not onely the open fields were commodious for the Romans to fight in but the woods also and forests if they proceeded by discretion Neither were the barbarous huge targets and long pikes so handsome among trees and low shrubs as darts and swords and armour close to the bodie They should therefore lay on thicke load and strike at their faces with their swords That the Germans had neither coat of fence nor helmet and their bucklers were not ribbed with iron or sinewes but with osiars or painted thinne boord Their first rancke was in some sort appointed with pikes but the rest had but short weapons burnt at the point And although they were grim in countenance and of some courage for a short fit yet being once wounded they would flee and be gone without shame of discredit or care of their Captaine in aduersitie faint harted and timorous but in prosperitie vnmindfull both of diuine and humane lawes If they desired an end of their wearisome iournies and sea in this battell they might ease themselues Albis was now neerer then Rhene Neither was there any further warre to be made if in that place treading the steps of his father vncle they would make him Conqueror The heat of the soldier being inflamed with this speech of the Captaine the signe of battel was giuen Neither did Arminius nor the rest of the Germā nobility omit to incourage theirs on the other side saying These are the Romans which fled from Varus campe who for fear of ioining battel had raised a rebelliō Wherofsom their backs loadē with wounds others their sides tired brokē with waues tempests of sea once more offered themselus to the enimy ful of ire without hope of good the gods being against them They tooke sea and chose out the bie-waies of the Ocean least they should haue beene encountered as they came or pursued after they were repulsed But when they shall come to handistrokes they shall find small refuge in the winde and oares That now they should call to minde their coueteousnes crueltie and pride was there any thing els to be done then to maintaine their libertie or die rather then be brought to seruitude Thus encouraged and demaunding battell they were brought into a place called Idistauisum betwixt Visurgis and the hils not of one breadth but now wide now straight as the riuer or iutting out of the hils did suffer Behinde them was a wood of high trees and betweene those trees a plaine and eeuen ground which the Barbarians had possessed with the entrance of the wood the Cherusci put themselues on the tops of the hils to fall furiously vpon the Romans in the heat of the fight The order of our battell was this The aides of Gallia and the Germans were placed in the front followed with the foote archers after them fower legions and Caesar himselfe with two Pretorian cohorts and a choise troupe of horsmen After them so many legions more with light horsemen bow men on horseback and the rest of the confederates all of them most carefull to keepe their order and aray Germanicus perceiuing the Cheruscians troupes to come fiercely toward thē commanded the ablest horsmē to
made famous and the spoiles dedicated by Augustus with the place where Antonie had camped by those meanes renewing the memorie of his auncestors for as I haue saide before Augustus was his vncle and Antonie his grandfather and therefore in that place he sawe represented things both ioifull and dolorous From thence he went to Athens which being an ancient citie and a confederate with the Romans he woulde haue but one Lictor before him The Graecians receiued him with most exquisite honors and represented the ancient exploites and saiengs of his predecessors that their flatterie might be so much the more gratefull and acceptable And going from thence to Euboea hepassed by Lesbos where Agrippina in hir last deliuerie had Iulia. Then desirous to visite places of antiquitie and fame he went to the confines of Asia Perinthum and Byzans cities of Thrace then he entered the straites of Propontis and the mouth of the Pontion sea Withall he releeued the prouinces which were wearied with ciuill discordes and oppressions of magistrates In his returne desirous to visite the sacrifices of the Samothracians and sundrie other things for change of fortune and our beginning from thence woorthie of honor The northren windes droue him backe againe Then he coasted Asia and came to Colophona to consult with the oracle of Clarius Apollo There is no woman as at Delphos but a priest vsually chosen out of certaine families and for the most part from Miletum doth heare onely the number and names of such as come to consult then going downe to a den and drinking a draught of the secret fountaine giueth answer being commonly ignorant in learning and verses in verses touching those things which a man hath fore-thought in his minde It is reported that by circumstances of darke speeches as the manner of the oracles is he prophecied that Germanicus death was not farre of But C. Piso to the ende he might more speedily begin to effectuate his determination sharpely rebuked the citie of Athens alreadie amazed with his turbulent behauiour indirectly carping at Germanicus that contrarie to the dignitie of the Roman name he had vsed too great curtesie not towards the Athenians which had beene wasted by so manie miseries but towards a rif-raffe of other nations and those which were Mithridates confederates against Sulla and Antonies against Augustus of famous memorie Other stale matters he obiected also against them as that they had not prosperous successe against the Macedonians and vsed violence against their owne citizens bearing them also a speciall grudge bicause that at his request they woulde not deliuer on Theophilus condemned of forgery by the counsel of the Areopagites From thence sailing with all celeritie by the Cyclades and seeking out the shortest cuts at the Iland of Rhodes he ouertooke Germanicus nothing ignorant how he had backbitten him yet neuerthelesse such was his milde disposition that when Piso was driuen through tempest against the rocks and that his miscarieng might haue beene imputed to chance he sent gallies to succour him and so deliuered him from danger But all this did not mollifie Pisoes hart but scarse enduring one daies staie forsaketh and preuenteth Germanicus For being come to the legions in Syria winning the basest of the common soldiers with gifts he began to displace the old Centurions and seuere Tribunes and bestowe their roomes on his followers or to the most lewdest suffered idlenes in the campes licentiousnes in the citie vagrant and riotous souldiers to range the countrey whereby they grew to such corruption that among the common sort he was called the father of the legions Neither did Plancina containe hir selfe within the bounds of womanly modestie but woulde be present at the horsemens exercise as the running of the cohorts and vse reprochfull speeches against Agrippina and Germanicus some of the better sort of soldiers readie to follow hir humour in bad actions bicause there was a secret rumour spred that those things were not done with dislike of the Emperour Germanicus knew all this but his greatest care was to preuent the Armenians That nation was in times past doubtfull and vncertaine to the Romans not onely through their disposition and affection but also through the situation of their countrey which stretching into our prouinces reacheth euen to the Medes And being seated betwixt great kingdomes are often in wars through hatred to the Romans and enuie to the Parthians King at that time they had none Vonones being expulsed But the nation fauoured Zeno Polemon king of Pontus sonne bicause that from his infancie he had imitated the customes and attire of the Armenians their hunting and banqueting and other exercises of the Barbarians greatly esteemed thereby winning the fauour as wel of the nobilitie as cōmon people Germanicus then in the city Artaxata the noble men approouing it in the presence of a multitude crowned him King the rest doing him honor as their King saluted him after the name of the city by the name of Artaxias The Cappadocians being reduced to the forme of a Prouince receiued Q Veranius for their Lieutenant and to giue them a good hope of the Roman gouernment some of the tributes vsually before paid to the Kings diminished ouer the Comageni then first reduced vnder the regiment of a Pretor Q. Seruaeus was made gouernor XIIII Germanicus and Pisoes iarring ALbeit all the affaires of the allies were setled in good order yet Germanicus was nothing the more at his ease by reason of Pisoes pride who being commanded either by himselfe or by his sonne to conduct part of the legions to Armenia neglected both At length they both met at Cyrrum where the tenth legion wintered Piso with a resolute countenance against feare and Germanicus as I haue said the milder of the two lest he should be thought to threaten But his friends their crafts master in prouoking hatred made the most of that which was true suggested much which was false laying diuers things to his own charge Plācinas his childrens In the end Caesar in the presence of a few of his familiars vttered som such speech to Piso as anger dissimulation doth suggest Piso answered with a proud submission so they departed open enemies After that time Piso was seldome seen at Caesars tribunal if he did assist at any time he shewed himselfe froward and alwayes dissented openly from him In a banket made by the king of the Nabateans when there were presented crownes of great waight to Caesar and Agrippina and light ones to Piso and the rest He was heard to say that that banket was made to the sonne of a Romane Prince and not to the sonne of a king of Parthia and withall threw away his crowne vttering many speeches against the superfluitie of the banket which although Germanicus could hardly digest yet indured all patiently Whilest these things were adoing Embassadors came from Artabanus king of the Parthians calling to minde their friendship and alliance with the Romans
which laie in garrison at Lugdunum The Turonians were ouerthrowne by the legionarie souldier which Visellius Varro Lieutenant of lower Germanie sent vnder the same captaine Auiola and certaine of the chiefe gentlemen of Gallia which brought him aide the better thereby to cloake their reuolt and when occasion serued rebell with more assurance Sacrouir was seene to demaund battell of the Romans bare headed as he saide to shewe his valour but the captaines said he did it to make himselfe the better knowne thereby to be spared from their darts Tiberius being consulted vpon that point made no reckoning of the disclosing of it but nourished the warre by doubting Florus in the meane time helde on his purpose enticed a wing of horsemen enrowled at Treuers and trained vp in our seruice discipline that hauing slaine the Roman merchants which there vsed trafficke he might begin the warre fewe of the horsemen were corrupted but most continued in their alleageance Other rude indebted persons or followers tooke armes and went towarde the forrest called Arden but the legions from both armies which Visellius and C. Silius had set to crosse them droue them backe Iulius Indus being of the same citie and an enimie to Florus and therefore more foreward to shew his valour being sent before with a choise power scattered and defeated that disordered multitude Florus escaped the conquerours hands by vncertaine lurking holes and at last perceiuing the souldiers to set on his places of refuge slewe himselfe with his own hands And that was the end of the rebellion of those of Treueri It was a matter of great difficultie to suppresse the Aedui by reason their city was more wealthie and the aide which should haue subdued them farther off Sacrouir had with certaine armed cohorts gotten possession of Augustodunum the chiefe citie of the countrey and taken the noblest mens children of all Gallia which there followed their studies as a pledge to win and binde their parents and kindred and withal secretly distributed weapons which himselfe had caused to be made to al the youth They were in number forty thousand the fift part armed as the legions were the others with hunting staues hangers such other weapōs as hūters vse To these were added certaine slauish fencers couered according to the countrey fashion from top to toe in armour of iron vnapt and vneasie to strike but to withstand impenetrable whom they call Crupellarij These forces were augmented though not by any open cōsent of cities adioining yet with euery mans particular good wil the Roman captaines striuing doubting who should haue the conducting of the warre both desiring it But Varro being old and feeble yeelded to Silius who was in his prime It was currant in Rome that not onely the Treueri and the Aedui but also that threescore and fower cities of Gallia had reuolted and the Germans ioined with them that Spaine was wauering and all as the nature of a report is beleeued more then it was Euery good man with a care of the common-wealth was greatly grieued many disliking the present state and desirous of alteration reioysed euen in their owne harmes and blamed Tiberius that in so great a hurlyburly he woulde still spende his labour in hearing accusers libels What saide they shall Iulius Sacrouir bee condemned of treason in Senate at last some were founde which with armes woulde suppresse these bloudy libels of accusers that a miserable peace was well changed for warre Tiberius so much the more composed to a careles securitie changed neither place nor countenance passed ouer those dayes after his accustomed woont either through haughtines of courage or because he knewe the matter to be lighter then the report In the meane time Silius marching on with two legions hauing sent a power of allies before wasteth the villages of the Sequans which were borderers and confederates with the Aeduans Anon after he marcheth speedily with his armie towardes Augustodunum the standard-bearers striuing who shoulde make most haste and the common souldier fretting and chasing likewise least he should rest the night as he was wont only that they might see the enemie and be seene that would be enough for the victorie Twelue miles off Sacrouir appeared in the champian countrey In the front he had placed his men couered with iron his cohorts on the wings and those which were halfe armed in the rereward himselfe mounted on a goodly courser amongst the chiefest of the citie went to the souldiers and put them in minde of the ancient glory of the Galli and how oft they had defeated the Romans How honorable a thing libertie was to the conquerors and how intollerable seruitude would be if they should be vanquished againe This exhortation was not long nor pleasing for the legions drew neere in battell aray the townesmen wanting discipline and ignorant of seruice did neither see nor heare what was best for them Silius on the contrary side although his hope had taken away all occasions of encouraging them yet cried That it was a shame for them being conquerors ouer the Germans to be brought against the Galli as against enemies and that of late one cohort had vanquished the rebellious Toronians one wing the Treueri a few troupes of horsemen of this same armie had put to flight the Sequans By how much the richer the Aedui are in money and abounding in pleasures the lesser courage they had Breake then in vpon them and binde them and flee to those which run away At that all of them giuing an out-cry the horsemen compassed them in the footemen set on the point and the wings made small resistance Those in complet yron harnes stuck somewhat to it their plates resisting and beating back the darts and swords but the souldier snatching his hatchets and axes as though he were to breake through a wall hewed their couering and carcasses Some with poles or forks ouerthrew this sluggish lump leauing them for halfe dead lying on the ground not once going about to rise Sacrouir goeth first to Augustodunum then for feare least it should be yeelded to the next village with a few of his trustiest friends where he slew himselfe with his owne hands and the rest one another and the village being set on fire ouer them they were all burnt together Then at last Tiberius wrote to the Senate that the warre was begun and ended neither adding nor taking away from the truth And that the Lieutenants had behaued themselues faithfully and valorously and himselfe directed them with counsell And withall yeelded the reasons why neither he nor Drusus went to the war magnifying the greatnes of the Empire and that it was not meete that Princes if some one or other towne rebell should forsake Rome from whence all other gouernment was deriued Now bicause there was no cause of feare he would goe see and settle the present estate of things The Lords of the Senat derceed vowes and processions for his returne with other conuenient
men sometimes vsing curtesie and moderation misliked of none and oftentimes quaffing and drunkennes with other wanton behauiour which well pleased these barbarous people Now he had gotten reputation with his neighbours and began to be famous among strangers when as such as bare greatest swaie in time of factions suspecting his power and greatnes goe from him to the borderers of the kingdome openly declaring that the auncient libertie of Germanie was taken from them and that the Roman strength mastered al. Was their countrey so barren that they could finde none borne among them to fill the place of the Prince but that Flauius the spies broode must be lifted vp aboue them all It was in vaine to make Arminius the pretence whose sonne being brought vp in the enimies land might well be feared if he came to be King as depraued and infected with education seruilitie attire and all other strange vsages And if Italus bare the minde his father had done no man euer hath borne armes more ragingly against his countrey and houshold gods than his parents By such and the like speeches they gathered great forces togither and there did no fewer follow Italus All of them affirming that he had not thrust himselfe among them against their wils but that he was sent for by them and seeing he was more noble than the rest they should make a triall of his vertue and whether he would shewe himselfe woorthie of Arminius his vncle and Catumerus his grandfather Neither could his father be a shame and reproche vnto him because he would neuer violate his faith which by consent of the Germans he had promised the Romans That the name of libertie was falsly pretended by them who being base and degenerate of themselues and dangerous to the whole state haue no hope but in time of trouble and garboile The common sort came cheerefully about him and the King became victorious in a great battell against the Barbarians then through this prosperous fortune falling into pride he was chased out of his countrey and againe reenforcing his armie with the aide of the Lombards now with luckie now with vnluckie successe molested and annoyed the Cherusci VI. The Chauceans are ariuen backe out of Germanie by Corbulo a Roman Captaine his seuere discipline ABout the same time the Chauci liuing in peace at home and incouraged by the death of Sanquinius whilest Corbuloes cōming was expected made some incursions vpon lower Germanie vnder Gannascus who being a Caninefian by birth an aide-souldier and long receiuing pay vnder the Romans and afterward become a fugitiue with light vessels robbing and piracing especially wasteth the coast of Gallia because he knew them wealthie and cowards But Corbulo entering into the Prouince first with great care then credit especially gotten by that seruice thrust into the riuer of Rhene certain Galleies and other shipping as they were fit into other armes and ditches of the sea And hauing with them suncke the small vessels of the enimie and driuen out Gannascus after he had setled the present estate of things he reduced the legions which knew not what worke and labour meant but desirous to hunt after pillage and forreies to the auncient discipline of seruice commaunding that none should depart from the campe nor enter battell without commaundement that the watch and warde all charges both by day and night should be executed in armes And it is reported that one souldier was put to death bicause he digged at a trench without his sword by his side and another bicause he had nothing else but his dagger which beeing ouer-hard and rigorous and vncertaine whether falsly spread abroad yet had their beginning of the Captaines seueritie Whereby thou maist know that he was inexorable in great faults seeing it was thought he vsed such rigour in small But that terrour wrought different effects in the souldiers and enimies we thereby increased our valour the Barbarians abated their courage The Frisian nation which rebelled after the ouerthrow of L. Apronius and euer after shewed themselues enimies vnto vs or nothing faithfull hauing giuen hostages inhabited the countrey alotted and appointed them by Corbulo He gaue them also a Senate magistrates and lawes And bicause they should not fall from their obedience left them a strong garrison and sent some to draw the chiefest of the Chauci to yeeld and withall by a wile to surprise Gannascus Neither were those wiles imployed in vaine or thought cowardly and il-beseeming vs against a fugitiue and faith-breaker But the Chauci were much troubled with his death and Corbulo sowed some seedes of rebellion among them which as some construed to the best so others reported badly of it for why should he prouoke an enimie If the successe were bad the hurt would redownd to the common-wealth if fortune went on his side he was a man to be feared in time of peace and being valiant and couragious and vnder a cowardly Prince not to be suffered Whereupon Claudius was so farre from forcing Germanie anew that he commanded the garisons to be brought backe on the hither side the Rhene And whilest Corbulo went about to encampe in the enimie land these letters were deliuered him He vnderstanding of so sudden a countermaunde although many things at once troubled his braines feare of the Emperour the contempt the Barbarians would haue him in the iest his confederats would make at it yet making no more wordes but saying only O how happie some Roman Captaines were sownded a retraite Neuerthelesse least the souldiers should grow lazie he cast a ditch betweene Mosa and Rhene three twentie miles long to beare off the vncertain inundations of the Ocean Yet Caesar graunted him the honour of triumph although he denied him licence to make war VII How souldiers were employed out of warre NOt long after Curtius Rufus had the same honor giuen him who in the countrey of Mattiacum had found a siluer mine of small profit and short continuance but to the legions besides the losse it was great labour to dig the riuers and mine vnder the earth and draine waters which in plaine grounds was laborious The souldiers wearied with these toyles and because they had indured the like in many prouinces sent letters secretly to the Emperour in the name of the whole armie and besought him that from thence forward he would bestow the marks of triumph before hand on such as he purposed to make commaunders of the armie As for Curtius Rufus birth whom some haue reported to be a fencers sonne I will neyther vtter any thing falsely and am ashamed to tell the truth After he was come to mans estate he was a follower of the Quaestor of Affrica and in a towne called Adrumetum as he walked secretly about midday in a gallery where were no people there appeared vnto him the likenes of a woman greater then the stature of any other and a voice was heard saying Thou art he Rufus which shalt come Proconsul into this prouince Puffed vp
into wipe away this blot and conuert this priuate rancor to the destruction of the enemie And you in whom I perceiue another countenance and another will if you purpose to restore the Embassadors to the Senate yeeld dutifull obedience to the Emperour and me my wife and sonne withdraw your selues from the contagion of the seditious and go from them which haue beene the authors of this rebellion that shall be a sure token of your repentance and a bond of fidelitie With these speeches the souldiers humbling themselues confessed all to be true which was vpbraided them and besought him that he would punish the faultie and pardon those which were seduced and bring them against the enemie recall his wife and the legions child and not deliuer him to the Gaules for an hostage Germanicus excused the returne of his wife by the neerenes of her time and winter yet that his sonne should returne againe and as for other things that they themselues should see them performed The souldiers then being better perswaded ran from place to place layd hands on the most disordered persons and brought them bound before C. Cetronius Colonel of the first legion who gaue iudgement and punishment on euery of them in this manner The legions called together stoode with their swords drawne before the Tribunal and the offender shewen by the Tribune out of a high seate and if the souldiers did cry that he was guiltie he was immediately throwne downe headlong and cut in peeces the souldier reioysing in these massacres as though himselfe thereby had bene acquited Germanicus did not hinder them at all seeing that being done without his commaundement as well the fact as the enuie of it should light vpon their owne necks The old souldiers following that president were anon after sent to Raetia vnder colour of defending the prouince from the inuasion of the Sweuians but in deede to draw them from those garrisons yet breathing of crueltie no lesse by that cruel meanes of redresse then memorie of their former outrages This done he tooke a suruey of the Centurions who being called by the Captaine told their names degrees and countrey what payes they had receiued and how many yeares what exploits they had done in seruice and with what donatiues rewarded If the Tribunes and legions approued their valour and integritie they kept their roomes if by common consent couetousnes or crueltie were laid to their charge they were cassirde Things thus setled for the present there arose immediately a matter of no lesser waight then the former through the headie insolencie of the fift and one and twentith legion lodged in winter standings threescore miles off at Vetera For they first led the daunce and with their owne hands committed the lewdest outrages Nothing terrified with their fellowes punishment continued impenitent and still harbored anger in their breasts Whereupon Caesar gathereth forces prepareth a Nauy with confederates and allies to send downe the Rhene purposing if they were obstinate to try it out in a maine battell No tidings being all this while brought to Rome of the successe in Illyricum and vnderstanding of the rising of the Germaine legions the citie trembling with feare began to blame Tiberius that counterfeiting a doubtfulnes of taking on him the Empire mocked the Lords of the Senate the weake vnfurnished common people and suffered the seditious in the meane time to rebell which by the weake authoritie of two yong men could not be suppressed That he should therefore haue gone himselfe in person and opposed his imperiall maiestie against them at whose sight they would presently haue yeelded being by long experience skilfull and carrying with him power to punish or reward If Augustus striken in yeares could make often iourneies into Germanie should Tiberius being of a strong and able bodie sit in the Senate carping the Senators words He had taken good order how to keepe the citie in seruitude and that it was now time to applie some medicine to the souldiers minde to induce them to a disposition of peace Notwithstanding Tiberius standing stiffe in his determination resolued not to forsake the head of the empire and hazard himselfe and the whole state Many things troubled his minde as that the Germane armie was the strongest and the Pannonian neere at hand the one leaning to the strength of the Gaules the other lying in the confines of Italie doubtfull himselfe which first to go to least the other being postposed should take it in disdaine But his sonnes might visit both as a thing standing well with imperiall maiestie bearing greater state farthest off The yoong men might be excused if they referred some things to their father and if they should resist Germanicus and Drusus he should be able to appease or ouerthrowe them But if they should set light by the Emperor what remedie could be then looked for Neuertheles as though he would depart out of hand he made choise of his followers prouided his carriages in a readines prepared shipping then excusing himselfe now with the hardnes of the winter now with this now with that he deceiued first the wise then the vulgar sort and the prouinces a very long time XI The first and the ninth legion kill many of the rebels Germanicus ouer commeth the Marseans beateth dovvne the temple of Tanfana The death of Iulia. BVt Germanicus although he had an armie in a readines to reuenge vpon the rebels thinking it conuenient neuertheles to giue them some respite to see whether they would be reclaimed by the example of the other legions sent letters before to aduertise Cecina that he was comming with a power and that if they would not punish the offenders before his comming he would without any respect make a generall slaughter of them all These letters Cecina secretly imparted to the standard and ensigne bearers and the better sort perswading them to deliuer all in generall from infamie and themselues from death For in time of peace each mans cause and merit was waighed but in warre the guiltie and guiltlesse perished alike They then sounding the mindes of those they thought fittest and finding the greater number of the legionarie soldiers to continue dutifull following the Lieutenants aduice set downe a time when to cut off the lewdest and most seditious among them Then the watch-word giuen they breake into their tents slue them none priuie to the cause but such as were of counsell in the enterprise neither imagining the beginning nor the ende of this butcherie The strangest manner of ciuill warre that euer happened was this for without order of battell not sallying out of diuers standings but out of the same beds in which they had eaten by day and slept by night they banded into factions lanced their dartes outcries were heard wounds giuen blood shed but the cause vnknowen fortune ruled the rest and some honest men were slaine among But it was no sooner knowne against whom this watch was intended but the worst persons snatched their
childe but in the face of the enimie and against armed men atchieued his enterprises And that the ensignes which he had taken from the Romans were to be seene in the woods of Germanie offered vp in honour of their countrey gods Let Segestes inhabite the conquered banks and restore his sonne to his priestlie dignitie that the Germans coulde neuer excuse it that the Romans haue beene seene to beare their roddes their axes and gownes betweene Abbis and Rhene Other nations being strangers to the Romane gouernment could speak nothing of their cruell punishments and grieuous tributes and seeing they had shaken off those burdens and that that Augustus whom they placed among the gods and Tiberius chosen after him lost their labour they shoulde not feare an vnexperienced yoong man nor his mutinous companie If they preferred their countrey their kindred their auncient life before newe lordes and newe colonies they should rather follow Arminius protector of their glory and libertie then Segestes the author of reprochfull seruitude These speeches incensed not only the Cheruscians but the neighbors adioyning also and drew Inguiomerus a man once in credit with the Romans and vncle to Arminius by the fathers side to their partie which increased Caesars feare the more And therefore least the whole waight of the warre should at once fall vpon him he sent Caecinna with fortie cohorts of Romanes to seauet the power of the enemie through the Bructeries countrey to the riuer of Amisia Pedo the Camp-maister had the conducting of the horsemen by Frisia himselfe embarqued foure legions and lead them through the lakes all the horsemen footemen and the whole nauie meeting together at the said riuer and receiued the Chauceans among them who had promised them ayde The Bructeri burning their owne countrey Stertinius ouerthrew with a companie of light harnessed souldiers sent against them by Germanicus and found betweene the slaughter and the bootie the banner of the nineteenth legion which was lost with Varus From thence the armie marched to the vtmost confines of the Bructeri all the countrey wasted betwixt the riuer Amisia and Luppia not farre from the forest Tentoburgh where the reliques of the legions which Varus lead were reported to lye vnburied Whereupon Caesar had a great desire to celebrate the captaines and souldiers funerals all the armie moued to compassion some calling to minde their kinsfolks some their friends and some in consideration of the hazards of warre and the slipperie estate of man subiect vnto fortunes change And hauing sent Caecina before to search out the secret places of the forest and cast bridges and causeyes ouer the moist and deceiptful passages of the bogs they marched those dolefull wayes yrksome to behold and dreadfull to remember Varus first encamping seate by the large circuit of ground it contained and dimensions of the Principia did shew that the inclosure was capable of three legions then by a rampire halfe broken downe and a shallow trench they perceiued where the ouertoyled remnant was retired In the middle of the field lay white bones either scattered or on a heape as they had eyther resisted or fled hard by trouncheons of weapons and horses ribs and before them mens heads fastened vpon the bodies of trees In the woods were their barbarous altars on which they sacrificed the Tribunes and chiefe Centurions Those which escaped aliue or broke prison after the butchery tould that here the Liutenants were slaine there the standards taken where Varus receiued his first wound where with his owne vnluckie hand he slew himselfe On what Tribunall Armin ius made his oration How many gibbets he had set vp for captiues and what ditches and with what prowde disdaine he skoffed at the ensignes and standarts The Romanes then which were present sixe yeares after the slaughter oppressed with griefe yet more then euer kindled with rage against the enemie couered with earth the bones of the three legions as if they had been all their friends or kindred howbeit it was vncertaine whether they buried the stranger or friend Caesar to shew a gratefull memory of the dead and himselfe to be partaker of their griefe with his owne hands put the first turfe on their tombes which Tiberius misliked either as construing all Germanicus actions to the worst or because the sight of the dead vnburied would make the souldiers more fearefull of the enemie and lesse forward to fight and because a Generall honored with the Augurall dignitie and deuoted to most ancient ceremonies ought not to meddle in mortuaries But Germanicus pursuing Arminius alreadie crept into inaccessible places as soone as he found conueniencie thrust his horsemen on him and recouered the field which the enemie occupied Arminius gathered his men together and commaunding them to draw neere the wood turned short on the sudden and gaue them the watch-word which he had hidden there before to breake out Whereat the horsemen amazed and the cohorts sent for a supplie borne backe with those which fled augmenting their feare were almost thrust into the bogs well knowne to the conquerors and dangerous to the Romanes had not Caesar come on with the legions in battell aray Which stroke a terror into the enemie and assured the courage of the souldier both the armies in the end parting on euen hand Anon after the armie being brought to the riuer Amisia he conducted the fleete and the legions back againe in the same manner they came thither Some of the horsemen were commaunded to returne to the riuer of Rhene still coasting the Ocean shore Caecina who conducted another companie although he was skilfull in the wayes yet was charged to returne with all diligence by the long bridges which was a narrow causey betwixt wide marishes throwne vp in times past by L. Domitius The rest of the countrey was miry and full of fast binding clay with some doubtfull brookes Round about were woods ascending little and little which Arminius had filled by a neerer way and light armie preuenting the Romans loden with armour and carriages Caecina doubting how he should at once repaire those bridges alreadie decayed with age and driue back the enemie thought it best to encamp in the same place that whilest some were fortifying others might skirmish with the enemie The barbarians vsed all force to breake the wardes and make way to the trench-makers set on them compassed them in ranne from place to place leauing nothing vndone to disturb them The laborers and the fighters made one confuse cry nothing prospering on the Romans side The place was nothing but a deepe mire not firme to tread on and slipperie to march the waight of their corselets an hinderance and they vnable to launce their iauelins in the waters Contrarily the Cheruscians being a great limmed people and accustomed to fight in bogs were with huge speares able to hurt a farre off To be briefe the night deliuered the legions from an vnluckie battell The Germaines through prosperous successe nothing wearied but
the heauen and all the sea gaue place to the southwind which more and more preuailing through the mountaines of Germanie deepe riuers and huge clouds and growing more violent and boisterous through the cold of the North neer which it is tossed and scattered the shipping into the wilde Ocean or rockie Ilands or dangerous and vnknowen quicksands Which being a little but with much a doe escaped by the changing of the sea they went whither the wind droue them They could neither cast anchor nor pumpe out the water which came in on them Horses of seruice and cariage bag and baggage yea their armour they threw into the sea that the ships might be lightened which leaked at the sides the billowes swelling more and more By how much the Ocean is more violent then any other sea and Germany exceedeth other countries in roughnes and sharpnes of aire by so much that misfortune exceeded others in strangenes and greatnes happening at the shores of the enimies land or in so deepe and wide a sea that it hath beene beleeued to be the last and beyond which there is no land Some of their ships were drowned many cast vpon Ilands far off the souldiers the countrey being vnhabited perished by famine vnlesse it were such as releeued themselues with the horses as were cast a land Germanicus gallie onely arriued at the Chauceans countrey who seeing himselfe all those daies and nights vpon rocks and points crying that he onely was guiltie of the casting away of so many persons could hardly be kept and staied by his friends from casting himselfe into the same sea At length the sea growing lower and the wind more fauourable the lame and vntackled shippes with a fewe oares or their garments spread in stead of sailes or drawen at the taile of stronger returned Which Germanicus mending in haste sent to search the Ilands by which care many of the soldiers were gathered togither and recouered The Angriuarians lately receiued into protection deliuered some which they had redeemed of such as dwelt further in the land some were cast into Britany and sent backe by the petie Kings As euerie man returned from far countries he reported strange woonders tempestuous stormes birdes neuer before heard of sea-monsters doubtfull shapes whether of men or beasts which they had either seene or imagined through feare VI. Germanicus being returned wasteth the countrey of the Chatti and recouereth an ensigne lost with Varus BVt the fame of the nauie lost as it did put the Germans in a hope of beginning a new warre so did it giue Germanicus stomack to curbe them Wherupon he comanded C. Silius to goe against the Chatti with thirtie thousand footemen and three thousand horsmen and himselfe inuaded the Marsi with stronger forces Their Captaine called Malouendus who not long before had yeelded himselfe gaue notice how that not far off an ensigne of Varus legion was buried and kept but with a slender guarde A band of men was sent thither out of hand with direction that some should toll them out and assaile them in the front and others by inuironing them behind to open the earth and take out the ensigne fortune shewing hir-selfe fauourable to both the companies This made Caesar more forward and entereth further into the land wasteth forrageth rifleth the countrey the enimie not daring to encounter him or if at any time he did resist he was straight driuen back neuer as they vnderstood by certaine captiues fearing more in their liues For they gaue out that the Romans were inuincible and not to be daunted with any misfortune seeing that hauing lost their nauie and armor and after that the shores were couered with the carcasses of their men and horses they inuaded them a fresh with the same courage and like fiercnes yea as if they had increased their number From thence the souldiers were brought backe to their winter standing camps glad that they had recompensed their misfortune by sea with so prosperous a victorie Caesar vsed great largesse recompensing euerie man to the value of the losse he had sustained Little doubt but the enimie grew faint harted and began to consult how he might intreat a peace and that if the next sommer the wars should haue beene continued there would be an ende of all But Germanicus was sollicited by often letters from Tiberius to returne and receiue the triumphe which was ordained for him that he had passed through many chaunces and accidents that he had had prosperous successe in many battels that he should remēber what grieuous and cruell losses he had sustained not by any ouersight of the Captaine but by the winds waues of the sea that he had bin sent nine times into Germanie by Augustus of famous memorie where he had atchieued more noble exploites by counsel then force So he had receiued the submission of the Sigambri so the Sueuians and the King of the Maroboduans were inforced to make peace that the Cherusci and other rebellious nations seeing the Romans had had a sufficient reuenge on them might be left to war one against another But Germanicus intreating for one yeere longer to finish the enterprises he had begun Tiberius assaulted his modestie more earnestly offering him the consulship once more which he should execute in person He added further that if there were any more wars to be enterprised he should reserue that subiect for the glorie of his brother Drusus who no other enimy being left could not but by warring against the Germans get the title of Emperor or win the crowne of laurell Germanicus made no longer stay although he knew well that those were but colours sought through enuie to draw him from the glorie he had alreadie purchased VII Libo accused of treason killeth himselfe ABout the same time Libo Drusus one of the Scribonian familie was accused for practizing against the state The beginning the order and the end of that busines I will set downe because those things came then first to light which for so many yeares had consumed and eaten the common-wealth Firmius Cato a Senator and one of Liboes inward friends induced this vncircumspect yong man and easily led to vanities to giue credit to the Chaldeans promises Magicians ceremonies and interpreters of dreames vainely and boastingly putting him in minde that Pompey was his great grandfather Scribonia who had been Augustus wife his aunt the Caesars his cosen germans and that his house was full of images and monuments of his predecessors He incited him further to licentious riot to take vp and borrow money making himselfe a companion of his want on lusts and familiarities the better to wrap and conuince him with many euidences When he had found witnesses sufficient and such also of his seruants which were priuie to the whole matter he desired he might be admitted to the speech of the Prince and by meanes of Flaccus Vescularius a Gentleman of Rome and one of Tiberius familiars discouered the matter and the man Caesar was
by a maine battell Now he determined by some subtiltie to set vpon Rhescuporis King of Thrace That countrey once hauing beene vnder Rhoemetalces after his death Augustus gaue part of it to his brother Rhescuporis part to his sonne Cotys In that partition the erable grounds the cities and places adioining to Greece fell to Cotys share That which was vnhabited wilde and lying neere the enimie to Rhescuporis The dispositions also of those Kings were such that the one was tractable and of a milde condition this stout coueteous and impatient of a companion and both at the first liuing in cunning and dissembled concord Then Rhescuporis began to exceed his bounds and draw that to himselfe which was giuen Cotys and vse violence if he resisted but not so hotly in Augustus time whom he feared being the author of both kingdomes would reuenge if he were despised But vnderstanding of a chaunge of the Prince he sent in troups of theeues beat downe his castles and sought occasions of warre Nothing did more trouble Tiberius then that those things which were once setled should now be disturbed and therefore making choise of a Centurion dispatcheth him away to signifie to the Kings that they should not in any case enter into armes and thereupon Cotys dismissed presently the aide he had prepared Rhescuporis with a fained modestie requesteth a place of meeting to ende their controuersie by conference neither did they long doubt of the time place and conditions the one yeelding to all with a facilitie of nature the other accepting all with a fraudulent meaning Rhescuporis as he pretended to conclude this agreement maketh a banket whē the night was far spent with great myrth much eating quaffing of wine he loaded vncircumspect Cotys with chaines who perceiuing the treason besought him by the sacred ceremonies of the kingdom the gods of the same familie by the entertainment of his table he would vse no such violence Hauing thus made himselfe maister of all Thrace he wrote to Tiberius that there were conspiracies wrought against him and the contriuer of them preuented And withall pretending warre against the Bastarnians and the Scythians maketh himselfe strong with a new power of footemen and horsemen Tiberius wrote to him coldly againe that if there were no fraude in his doing he might trust to his innocencie but neither he nor the Senate could discerne the right from wrong vnlesse they knew the cause therefore that he should deliuer vp Cotys and come to them and purge himselfe of the enuie of the crime Those letters Latinius Pandus Propraetor of Moesia sent with the souldiers vnto whom Cotys should be deliuered But Rhescuporis balancing betweene anger and feare and desirous to be guiltie rather of the fact committed then only attempted commandeth Cotys to be slaine and vntruly gaue it out that he had killed himselfe Yet for all this Caesar altered not his intended course but after Pandus decease whom Rhescuporis accused to haue beene his back friend made Pomponius Flaccus an old souldier and with whom the king was very inward and therefore a more fit instrument to deceiue for the same cause especiall gouernor of Moesia Flaccus being gone to Thrace by way of great promises perswaded him although doubtfull and calling to minde his owne wickednes to enter into the Romane garrison where he was garded with a strong companie vnder colour of honor He had Tribunes and Centurions at hand to counsell and perswade him and the further he went the greater gard and at last knowing in what termes of necessitie he stoode they brought him to the citie where being accused in Senate by Cotys wife he was condemned to be kept far from his countrey Thrace was afterward deuided betwixt Rhaemetalces his sonne who was knowne to be an enemie to his fathers proceedings and Cotys children which not being of full age Trebellienus Rufus who had beene Pretor in the meane season was made gouernor of the kingdome following the example of our predecessors who sent M. Lepidus into Aegypt to be gardian to Ptolemeus children Rhescuporis was caried to Alexandria and there going about to escape or because it was so fathered on him was killed At the same time Vonones who as we haue said was confined in Cilicia hauing corrupted his keepers vnder colour of going a hunting attempted all meanes to escape to the Armenians from thence to the Albanians and Heniochians and to his Cosen the king of Scythia And forsaking the sea coasts gote into bywayes and forrests and by the swiftnes of his horse posted with all speede to the riuer Pyramus The borderers vnderstanding the kings escape hauing broken down the bridges he not able to passe at any foord was taken by the riuers side and bound by Vibius Fronto captaine of the horsemen Anon after Remmius Euocatus vnto whose charge the king was first committed as it had bene in an anger thrust him through with his sword Wherupon it was the easlier beleeued that he had so slaine Vonones as one guiltie and consenting to his escape and therefore fearing he should be bewraied and accused XVII Germanicus sicknes and death The variance betwixt him and Piso BVt Germanicus returning from Aegypt and perceiuing that all which he had commaunded either in the legions or townes left vndone or changed cleane contrary began to vse grieuous and contumelious speeches against Piso and he to requite Caesar with no lesse dangerous attempts Whereupon Piso determined to depart Syria but staying a time by reason of Germanicus sicknes when he heard of his amendment and that the vowes were accomplished for his health he droue away by his sergeants the beast brought to the altar and disturbed the preparation made for the sacrifice and the solemne meeting of the people of Antioch Then he went to Seleucia expecting the euent of his sicknes which he fell againe into the rage thereof so much the more greeuous through an opinion that Piso had poisoned him for there were found pulled out of the ground and wals charmes verses and enchantmēts and Germanicus name engrauen in sheetes of lead ashes halfe burned and tempered with corrupt bloud and other sorceries by which it is thought that soules are dedicated to the infernall powers Some also were accused to haue bene sent from Piso to espie in what state he was in That droue Germanicus both into anger and feare considering with himselfe if his house should be besieged if he should lose his life in the sight of his enemies what should happen after to his wofull wife and his yong children he saw that the poison seemed slow in working but Piso hastened that he might alone haue the gouernment of the legions and the prouince But Germanicus was not so destitute of friends that the murderer should inioy the rewards of the murder And hereupon enditeth a letter to him in which he renounceth his friendship Some adde that he commaunded him to depart the prouince Piso made no longer delay but
looseth anker and moderated his course to returne the sooner if Germanicus death should open him a way to Syria Germanicus being a little amended and in some hope then growing feeble againe when his end was at hand he spake to his friends about him in this manner If I should die a naturall death yet should I haue iust cause of griefe against the gods that by an vntimely death they shuold take me in my youth from my kinsfolks children and countrey But now being brought to this passe by the lewde practise of Piso and Plancina I leaue in your breasts for my last prayers that you signifie vnto my father and my brother with what crueltie torne with what fraude circumuented I haue ended my miserable life with a most naughtie death If the hopes conceiued of me haue moued any if neerenes in bloud any yea if enuie towards me when I liued they will weepe that he who hath sometimes flourished and escaped so many battels should now end his life by the guile and treachery of a woman you shall haue occasion to complaine to the Senate and demaund the execution of lawes This is not the chiefest dutie of friends to shew their affection towards the dead by a slow and dull complaint but remember and execute that which they commanded Yea such as knew not Germanicus wil weepe for him If you did rather loue me then my fortune you will reuenge my death Shew the people of Rome Augustus neece and the same my wife and my children which are sixe in number the accusers themselues will haue compassion and those which pretend wicked commaundements shall either not bee beleeued or not pardoned His friends taking him by the right hand swore they would rather lose their life then omit reuenge Then turning to his wife intreated hir by the memorie of him and by the children common betweene them that she would lay aside all haughtines and submit her courage to raging fortune lest returning to the citie she stirred not with emulation of greatnes more powerable then her selfe against her Thus much he vttered openly and other things in secret whereby it was coniectured he stoode in feare of Tiberius Not long after he yeelded vp the ghost with great lamentation of the Prouince and countries about forren nations and Kings lamented also so great was his courtesie to his allies and mildnes to his enimies He was no lesse venerable to those which sawe him than to those which heard of him and did so well temper the greatnes of high estate grauitie that he auoided both enuie arrogancie His funerals although he had neither images nor pompe yet by the commendation and memorie of his vertues were honoured of all men Some there were which compared his fauour his age and manner of death by reason of the vicinitie of the places wherein they died vnto Alexander the great For being both of a comely stature noble parentage not much aboue thirtie yeeres of age they died in strange countries by the trecherie of their owne people But this man was courteous towards his friends moderate in pleasures his children certaine begotten in marriage by one woman Neither was he to be counted a lesse warrior then the other although he were not rash hindered to reduce vnder the yoke of seruitude the Germans daunted with so many victories And if he alone had had the supreme managing of affaires and power a name of a King so much the sooner he would haue carried away the prise renowne of warfare by how much he did excel him in clemencie temperancie other good vertues His bodie before it should be burned was laid naked in the market place of Antioche which was the place appointed for his buriall Whether he shewed any tokens of being poisoned or not it is vnknowen for diuers did diuersly interpretit either as they were inclined to pitie Germanicus or suspected to fauour Piso This being done the Lieutenants the Senators which were present cōsulted amōg themselues whom they should make gouernor of Syria the rest not greatly contending it was long debated betwixt Marsus Gn. Sentius in the end Marsus yeelded to Sentius being his elder prosecuting the suite more eagerlie He sent to Rome one Martina a woman infamous in that Prouince for empoisoning but deerly beloued to Plancina at the suite of Vitellius Veranius others which framed their acusations as against one already guilty of the fact But Agrippina wasted with sorrow feeble of body yet impatient of delaying reuenge took shipping with Germanicus ashes with her and her children all men taking compassion that a woman so nobly descended and who not long since in regarde of her stately marriage was honored and reuerenced by all men should now carrie in her lap those lamentable relickes of her husband incertaine of reuenge doubtfull of herperson so oft exposed to fortunes mercy by her vnluckie fruitfulnes XVIII Piso is doubtfull vvhether he should returne to Syria or not And prepareth an armie against Sentius IN the meane season a messenger ouertaketh and aduertiseth Piso at the Iland Cous that Germanicus was departed Which tidings he receiued intemperately offered sacrifices visited the temples nothing moderating his ioy and Plancina growing more insolent then first changed the mourning weede she ware for the death of hir sister into a ioifull attire The Centurions flocking about him told him that he had the good will of the legions at his deuotion that it was his best to returne to the prouince wrongfully taken from him and now voide of a gouernour Whereupon taking aduise what was best to be done his sonne M. Piso was of opinion that he shoulde make all haste to the citie that there was nothing yet done which might not be answered and that weakesuspicions and vaine reports were not to be feared The variance betweene him and Germanicus was woorthie perhaps of some rebuke but not punishment and by taking the prouince from him his enimies were satisfied But if he should returne Sentius being against him a newe ciuill warre would begin Neither would the Centurions and souldiers continue on his side with whom the fresh memory of their captaine and the loue deepely printed in their harts towards the Caesars woulde preuaile Domitius Celer one of his inwardest friends perswaded the contrarie That he ought to take the time when it was offered that Piso and not Sentius was made gouernour of Syria vnto him were the fasces and dignitie of Pretor giuen to him the legions committed If any violence should be offered by the enimie who should more iustly oppose his armes against them then he who hath receiued the authoritie of a Lieutenant and speciall commission Rumors grow stale and vanish away with time and often the innocent are borne downe with fresh enuie but if he had a power at hand and his forces increased many things which could not be foreseene by meere chaunce might turne to the better Do
able to draw the truth from him And being the next day brought againe to the torture by violent force breaking from his keepers so dasht his head against a stone that immediately he yeelded vp the ghost Some were of opinion that Piso was slaine by the treacherie of the Termestines by reason he exacted more of those barbarous people then they were able to beare XI Poppaeus Sabinus defeateth the Thracians and their obstinacie LEntulus Getulicus and C. Caluisius being Consuls triumphall ornaments were awarded Poppaeus Sabinus for defeating certaine Thracians which wildly liued in high mountaines therfore more sauage fierce The cause of their rebellion besides their naturall disposition was bicause they would not that any muster should be made of their strongest and ablest men for seruice neuer accustomed to obey their Kings farther then themselues listed or if they did send any aide they appointed the conductor of them and would make no warre but against the borderers There was also a rumor then spread that they should be dispersed and brought into other nations and mingled with them But before they began to beare armes they sent Ambassadors to Sabinus declaring their amitie and obedience to the people of Rome and that they would so continue if they were not oppressed with new taxations but if like vanquished men they should liue in seruitude they had both weapons and youth and a resolute courage ether to die or liue in libertie And therewithall shewed their fortresses built on rocks whither they had conueied their parents and wiues and threatened an intricat hard bloody war But Sabinus giuing milde answeres vntill he had gathered his forces together and when Pomponius Labeo was come with a legion out of Moesia king Rhoemetalces with the aid of his countreymen which continued still in their alleageance with the forces he had at hand he marched toward the enemie possessed of the streights of the woods some of the forwardest shewing themselues in open place which the Romane captaine hauing stole vpon were easily put to flight with small bloudshed of the barbarians by reason of their refuges at hand Then fortifying in the same place seaseth on the mountaine which was narrow and euen ridged vnto the next fort garded with great but vnorderly and confuse strength and immediatly sendeth before of his choise archers against the fiercest of them before the trench as the manner of the countrey is singing ditties and verses They wounded many with shot a far off and drawing neere by a suddaine irruption of the enemie had bene driuen to the worst if the Sugambrien cohort which lay not far off in dangers venturous no lesse fierce dreadfull in noise of songs clattering of armes had not receiued them at a pinch After this Sabinus encamped neerer the enemie leauing the Thracians which as I haue alreadie said came to our side at the first fort with warrant to wast burne carry away booties so as they tooke no longer time then the day and returne at night to set a sure watch and a vigilant ouer the camp Which at the first was obserued but afterward through riot wantonnes and desire of riches neglecting their wards hunting after belly cheere and ouertaken with wine fell heauily all to sleepe The enemie vnderstanding their retchles negligence deuided his men into two squadrons the one to set on the forragers and the other to assaile the Romain camp not with hope of any surprise but by their clamors and clashing of weapons euery man intentiue to his owne danger they should not heare the noise of the other skirmish choosing the night withall to make the fear the greater But those which assaied the trench of the legion were easily repulsed the aid of the Thracians in the other fort terrified with a suddaine assault part of them lying asleepe within the trenches and part seeking prouision and stouer abroade were so much the more cruelly slaine because they were reckoned to be as fugitiues and traitors which bare armes to bring themselues and their countrey into seruitude The next day Sabinus sheweth himselfe in a place without aduantage to either side to see whether the barbarians glad of the nights successe durst venter a battell But seeing they went not out of their fortresses or hils adioyning he began to lay siege to them with a strong companie casting a trench and a parapet foure miles compas about them after that by little and little to barre them of water and forrage streightened his enclosure the first enuironing the last and raised vp a bulwarke so neere the enemie that from thence they might throw stones darts and fires into the enemies camp But nothing annoyed the enemie more then thirst a huge multitude of rawe fighting souldiers hauing but one fountaine left them for their vse withall their cattell as the custome is among barbarous people shut vp with them died for want of stouer dead carcases of men lay along as well with wounds as thirst all corrupted with putrefaction stench and infection And to make their troubled estate more miserable they fell at discord among themselues of all calamities the full measure some readie to yeeld some to die some to strike and kill one another some perswading couragiously to sallie out and not perish without reuenge and these not of the basest alloy though deuided in opinions But among the captaines Dinis a man stroken in yeares and who by long experience had tried as well the strength as clemencie of the Romaines counselled them to lay downe their armes as the only remedie in their distresse and was the first which yeelded himselfe with his wife and children to the conquerors the rest which were weake either through age or sexe and desired rather life then renowme did the like But the youth betweene Tarsa and Turesis both resolued to die with libertie were doubtfully distracted but Tarsa crying that death was to be hastened and hope and feare to be cut off at once and giuing example vnto others thrust himselfe through the breast many following the same death Turesis with his companie expected the night our captaine not being ignorant thereof and thereupon reenforced the watch The night being stormie and tempestuous the enemie now making a fierce outcry and on the sudden vsing a maruellous silence droue the besiegers into vncertainties when as Sabinus went about from one place to another exhorting them not to lay chance open to such as by their doubtfull clamors and fained silence layde traines to intrap them but that euery man should keepe his standing and take heed he threw no dart in vaine In the meane space the barbarians clustering together by troups now threw hand-stones against the rampire iauelins burnt at the end and troncheons of oake now filled vp the ditches with shrubs hurdles and dead carcasses Some of them hauing before made bridges and ladders planted them before the bulwarks catched hold of them labored to pull downe the defence grapled fought hand to
if he had once set them abroch that his bad speeches were ioyned with cruell deeds The same time Iulia died whom Augustus hauing conuicted of adulterie had exiled into the Iland Trimerus not farre from the Apulian shores where she indured twentie yeers exile sustained by Augusta whose maner was by secret practises to subuert her sonnes in lawe when they were in prosperitie and openly shew them pitie when they were in miserie XVI The Frisians rebellagainst the Romans Agrippina Germanicus daughter is married to C. Domitius THe same yeere the Frisians beyond Rhene forsooke their obedience rather through our couetousnes then impatiencie of liuing vnder our subiection Drusus in regard of their small abilitie had imposed a small tribute on them which was a certaine of oxe hides for the war no man respecting what strength or largenes they were of vntill Olennius a Captaine of a principall ensigne and gouernor of the Frisians made choise of the skins of the beast called Vrus of that hignes As that had beene a heauie burden for other nations so the Germains could least of all others endure it whose woods although full of huge sauage beasts yet at their houses haue but small heards first therefore they deliuered these oxen then their possessions and lastly the bodies of their wiues and children into bondage From hence grew their griefe and complaints and seeing that no man relieued them they sought a redresse by warre laid hands on such souldiers as receiued the tribute and hanged them vp Olennius escaped the furie of the enimie by flying to a Castle called Fleuus strengthened with no smal power of citizens and consederats which held the coastes of the Ocean in subiection Which when L. Apronius Propretor of lowe Germanie vnderstood he sent for the chiefest ensignes of the legions of higher Germanie aides as wel of the horsmē as footmē broght both the armies ouer Rheine into the Frisian land the rebels forsaking the siege of the Castle to defend their owne Then Apronius maketh causeies and bankes and strong bridges ouer the next arme of the sea for the huge armie to passe ouer And in the meane time hauing found som foords commādeth the wing of the Caninefates such footmen as serued vnder vs to hem in the enemie behind Who raunged into battle aray to fight droue back the confederates legionarie horsmen sent as an aide After that were sent three cohorts lightly armed then two more a little after a strong companie of horsmen Strength sufficient if they had charged couragiously togither but comming some after some dropping in by companies they neither gaue courage to the fearfull but carried away themselues with like feare ran all away for company The residue of the aides he committed vnto Cethegus Labeo Lieutenant of the fift legion who perceiuing things to go doubtfull on his side sent to demaund more aide of the legions The fift legion couragiously issuing first out with a hot skirmish put the enimie to flight receiued into them the wounded and wearied cohorts The Roman Captaine sought neither to reuenge nor burie the dead bodies although there had been slaine manie Tribunes Prefects and diuers Centurions of marke fame It was after knowen by the fugitiues that the fight held on vntil the next day and that there were nine hundred Romans slaine in a wood called Baduhenna and that another power of 400. which had taken the village of Cruptorix which sometime had receiued pay of the Romains fearing treason slewe one another This got the Frisians great renowme among the Germains Tiberius dissembling his losses least hee should commit the charge to some other and the Senate beeing possessed with domesticall feare regarded not much whether the remote part of the Empire went dishonorably to wracke or not but stroken as I haue sayde into a feare sought a remedie by flatterie And albeit they had propounded many matters to deliberate on yet they decreed that all layde aside there should be two altars erected one vnto Clemencie and another vnto Friendship and that Caesars and Seianus images should be set about them and intreated most earnestly they would vouchsafe them so much fauour as that they might see him Neuerthelesse they went neither to Rome nor any place there about but thought it sufficient if they went out of the Iland and be seene in Campania next adioyning vnto it Thither resorted the Lords of the Senate Gentlemen and many of the common people heauie for Seianus vnto whom accesse was hardliest obtained and that with great crouching by approouing and participating his deseignments It well appeared his arrogancie grew greater seeing he blushed not to see such open base and filthie seruilitie vsed For at Rome it was a vsuall matter for men to walke the streetes and by reason the citie is great no man knew anothers busines but there some lying night and day in the field some on the sea shore without any difference endured either the pride of the porters or had fauour as pleased them vntill that that was also denied them Then they returned to the citie with discontented feare and Caesar not hauing vouchsafed either to looke or speake vnto them and some whose vnfortunate friendship with Seianus portended their imminent death were glad in an ill time Tiberius hauing publickly giuen his neece Agrippina Germanicus daughter vnto Gn. Domitius commaunded that the marriage should be solemnised in the citie He made choise of Domitius as well for the antiquitie of his stocke as neerenesse in bloud to the Caesars for Octauia was his grandmother and by her Augustus his vncle THE FIFT BOOKE OF THE ANNALES OF CORNELIVS TACITVS I. The death of Iulia. Tiberius crueltie increaseth His practises to make away Nero and Agrippina WHen Rubellius and Fusius both of them surnamed Geminus were Consuls Iulia Augusta died being very aged and of the noble familie of the Claudians and besides into the house of the Liuians and Iulians adopted She was first married vnto Tiberius Nero and had children by him who being driuen out of his countrey in the warre of Perusium and a peace after confirmed betwixt Sext. Pompeius the Triumuiri returned to the citie againe After that Augustus rauished with her beautie whether against her will or not it is vncertaine tooke her from her husband shewing himselfe so lustfull of her that not giuing her time to be deliuered of her first husbands childe brought her great as she was to his owne house After that she had no issue but being vnited to Augustus bloud by the mariage of Germanicus and Agrippina they had nephewes children common to them both Her behauior was according to the carriage of auncient times yet more courteous then women of former ages could well allow an vntollerable mother a tractable wife with the subtletie of her husband and dissimulation of her soone well medled and composed Her funerals were not sumptuous her testament long voide She was praised in a funerall oration before
Pharasmanes to further his enduours by pollicie and force and corrupters were found which for great sums of gold entised Arsaces ministers to kil him and through Hiberus great power they entered Armenia and tooke the citie Artaxata When Artabanus vnderstood of these dealings he furnisheth his son Orodes with things necessarie to reuenge and giueth him the strength of the Parthians and dispatcheth others to leuie hired souldiers to giue him aide On the other side Pharasmanes drewe the Albanians and Sarmates to his partie whose Princes called Sceptruchi hauing receiued gifts on both sides according to the manner of their countrey gaue aide to both sides But the Hiberi being masters of the passages thrust suddēly the Sarmatian forces on the Armenians by the Caspian way But those which came from the Parthians were easily driuen backe bicause the enimie had shut vp all the other passages one excepted which was betwixt the sea and the hils of the Albani which could not serue their purpose by reason it was sommer for the Easterne windes fill vp the shallow foordes and the shore the South winter winde keepes backe the flood and leaues the shallow shore bare and naked In the meane space Pharasmanes hauing reenforced his strength challengeth Orodes to fight being destitute of allies and vnfurnished of men and if he refused or shifted off he braued him vnder his nose and hard by his campe wasted his stouer and often compassed him about as if he had besieged him till the Parthians not accustomed to endure such brauados came about their King and demaunded battell Their strength consisted in their horsemen and Pharasmanes in footmen and horsemen both For the Hiberi and Albani inhabiting mountanous places were better accustomed to hardnes and trauell They saie they came out of Thessalia at such time as Iason after he had carried away Medea and begotten children by her returned to the emptie court of AEeta and vnhabited Colchos and reporte manie woonders of his name and the oracle of Phryxus Neither dare any man sacrifice a ram because it is thought that Phryxus was carried on one be it this ram were a beast or a shipe which bare those armes The battell pitched in order on both sides the Parthian put his souldiers in minde of the Empire of the East and the renowned nobilitie of the Arsacides and contrariwise debased Hiberus as ignoble and flying to mercenarie souldiers Pharasmanes on the other side declared that he was neuer yet subiect to the Parthian rule and that the greater their enterprise the greater their glorie if they were the conquerers or if they turned their backes the greater dishonour infamie and danger withall he shewed them his owne host dreadful and the Medians painted with gold on his owne side men on the other bootie Among the Sarmates the Captaine onely was not heard but euerie man incouraged each other not to abide the shot but preuent the enimie rushing in couragiously to handie strokes Diuers manners of fight were then seene in that battell when as the Parthian accustomed with like skill to flie and follow seuered his squadrons to make way for the arrowes to light The Sarmates laying aside their bowes which steeded them but a short time ran in to the enimie with their swordes and lances sometimes were in the front sometimes in their backes as if they had beene horsemen sometimes close ranked with their bodies and weapons thrust backe and bare down the enimie and were borne downe againe The Albani also and Hiberi behaued thēselues in like maner now catching hold of the enimie now thrusting him down the battell growing doubtfull on their side the horsemen and footemen pressing in and giuing them many wounds Whilest this fight thus continued Pharasmanes and Orodes each incouraging his stoutest or comforting those which beganne to stagger and wauer being in sight the one of the other and therefore knowing the one the other with a great clamor armour and horses ranne one against another but more fiercly Pharasmanes for he wounded his enimie through the headpeece yet being carried away with his horse was not able to redouble his stroke the stowtest of his followers presently defending the wounded Neuerthelesse a rumor falsly beleeued that he was slaine appaled the Parthians caused them to yeeld the victorie IX Sinnaces rebelleth against Artabanus King of Parthia Tiridates is put in his place IMmediatly after Artabanus gathering together his whole strength out of all parts of his countrey pursueth a reuenge on the Hiberi saying that they had the better of the battell through skilfulnes of place and therefore would neuer desist if Vitellius by assembling the legions had not giuen out that he meant to inuade Mesopotamia thereby striking him into a feare of the Roman forces Then Artabanus leauing Armenia left all good fortune behinde him Vitellius entising his subiects to abandon their King as one in peace cruell and in warres vnfortunate Sinnaces whom as I haue said was vtter enemie to Artabanus had secret conference with Abdageses his father and others and by continuall ouerthrowes and losses which they suffered drew easily vnto him such as were most readie to reuolt they also repairing to him by little and by little which were subiect vnto Artabanus rather for feare then good will very glad they had found captaines to follow tooke courage vnto them By this time Artabanus had no refuge left saue only a few strangers for the gard of his person banished from their owne dwellings a people not vnderstanding what is good nor hauing a care of that which is naught but hired for gaine are instruments of what mischiese soeuer Accompanied with these he hastneth his flight to the frontiers of his countrey ioining vpon Scythia hoping for succour because he was allied to the Hircanians and Carmanians hauing a hope likewise that the Parthians alwaies indifferently bent to the absent and vnconstant and fickle to the present would in the meane space change their minde and receiue him againe But Vitellius seeing Artabanus fled and the minds of the countrey people enclined to a new King incouraging Tiridates to take that which was offered conducted the legions and allies to the banks of Euphrates And as they were sacrificing and offering according vnto the custome of the Romans Suouetaurilia a Boare Ramme and Bull the others made readie a Horse to pacifie the god of that riuer the inhabitants of Euphrates brought word that without any great raine of his owne accord the riuer was exceedingly risen and withall that the white froth made circles as it were in forme of a diademe which was a presage of a prosperous passage but some did interpret them more subtilly gathering thereby that the beginnings of their attempts should be luckie but haue small continuance because that there was more credit to be giuen to those things which were portended by the earth and heauen and that the qualitie and nature of riuers was vnconstant and running away and would no sooner shew a token
with hope of this presage of good fortune he returneth to the citie and by the bountie of his friends and his owne wit and industrie obtaineth the Quaestorship and anon after the Praetorship among many men of note which sued for the same only by the suffrage and fauor of the Prince Tiberius hiding the basenes of his birth with these words Curtius Rufus seemeth to me to be borne of himselfe After this liuing vntill he was very aged â—n odious flatterer to his superiors arrogant to his inferiors crabbed among his equals he became Consull obtained the honor of triumph and in the end the gouernment of Affrike and there dying fulfilled his fatall destinie In the meane space for no cause then openly knowne nor afterward discouered Gn. Nouius a worthy gentleman of Rome was found with his sword by his side in the assemblie of those which came to salute the Prince for being broken on the torture he confessed nothing either of himselfe or others not knowen whether he purposed obstinately to conceale the matter or whether he were innocent The same men being Consuls P. Dolabella propounded in Senate that the shew of Fencers might be euery yeere set foorth at the charges of those which obtained the Questorship Which was a charge in our ancestors times giuen as a reward of vertue and was then lawfull for all citizens which trusted to their merites and vertues to sue for all kinde of offices without any regard had of their age being a thing lawfull for yong men to be Consuls or Dictators But the Quaestors were instituted when the Kings bare the sway as the law of the Curies declare renewed by L. Brutus and the power of choosing them continued in the Consuls vntill the people would also haue a share therein who first created Valerius Potus and Aemilius Mamercus threescore and three yeeres after the Tarquines were driuen out to the end they should follow the warres Then affaires multiplying more and more two were added for the busines of the citie Not long after the number was doubled when Italie and the prouinces were subiect to pay taske and tallage After that by Syllaes law twentie were created to furnish the Senate vnto whom he had giuen authoritie of iudgement And although the gentlemen of Rome had recouered their power of iudgement notwithstanding the Quaestorship was graunted according to the worth of the suters or courtesie of the giuers and that gratis vntill that by Dolabellaes aduise it was as it were put to sale VIII Certaine gentlemen of Gallia made Senators How the Senate was purged of naughtie men A. Vitellius and L. Vipsanius being Consuls when the matter was debated concerning the furnishing of the number of Senators and that the chiefe gentlemen of Gallia called Comata who long before were in league with the Romans and inioyed the priuileges of a citizen desired also the right of bearing offices in the citie great rumors were spread and the matter was debated before the Prince by men diuersly affected some affirming That Italie was not fallen to so low an ebbe that it could not furnish their citie of a Senate that the home-borne with their kinsemen did in times past supplie that want and no cause why they should be sory to imitate the custome of the auncient common wealth Yea there might examples be alleaged by which it might appeare that the vertuous inclination of the Romans at this day was not inferior to the vertue and glory of their ancestors Is it a small matter that the Venetians and Iusubrians haue thrust into the Curia vnlesse a companie of strangers be also put in as it were to keepe vs in captiuitie what other dignitie is there left for the residue of the nobles or if any of the Latian Senators fall to decay that those rich men would fill and possesse all whose grandfathers and great grandfathers being captaines of enemie nations haue slaine with the sword and violence our armies and besieged Iulius of famous memorie at Alesia These things are fresh in memorie What if we should call those to memorie which besieged the Capitoll and broke downe the altar of Rome with their owne hands That it was sufficient to inioy the name of a citizen and that the ornaments and marks of the Lords of the Senate the dignitie of Magistrates ought not to be made common But with these and the like speeches the Prince was nothing moued but immediatly spake against it and calling the Senate together began as followeth My auncestors among which the most auncient was Clausus taking his beginning of the Sabins and was at once made citizen of Rome and receiued into the familie of the Patricians gaue me counsell to gouerne the common wealth with such counsels and cares as they had done and transfer into it all that is good and commendable from whence soeuer it be brought Neither am I ignoraÌ„t that the Iulij came from Alba the Coruncani from Camerium the Porcians from Tusculum and that we may not search out farther antiquities there hath been men called into the Senate from Etruria Lucania and all Italie At last the citie was extended euen to the Alpes in so much that not only men seuerally but countries and nations vnited theÌ„selues to our name and grew as one whole bodie Then had we a sure and firme peace at home and flourished against forraine nations when the Transpadani receiued the freedome of the citie when vnder colour of leading our legions throughout the world and adding vnto them the strongest forces of the prouinces we eased the weake and wearied Empire Doth it repent vs that the Balbians came out of Spaine the worthiest men of Gallia Narbonensis to vs Their posteritie remaine with vs neither do they giue place vnto vs in loue towards this our countrie What other thing was the destruction and ouerthrow of the Lacedaemonians and Athenians although they were strong and puissant in armes but that they reiected those they conquered as strangers But our founder Romulus caried himselfe so discreetly that he had many which the same day were his enemies and citizens Strangers haue ruled ouer vs offices haue been giuen to the sonnes of such as haue bin freed froÌ„ bondage and not as some haue bin deceiued as a newe precident but it hath bin practised by our first people But we haue fought with the Senonians I pray you haue the Volci Aequi neuer prepared an army against vs we haue beene taken of the Galli and we haue giuen hostages likewise to the Tusci and passed vnder the yoke of the Samnites If thou wilt reckon vp all the warres none hath beene sooner ended than that against the Galli since that time we haue had a continuall and faithfull peace Now that in conformitie of manners artes and alliances they are mingled with our people let them rather bring to vs their gold and wealth then inioy it by themselues All things Lords of the Senate which are thought now to be
Iulius Aquila gentleman of Rome contemnig both of them began to sollicite the countries about him and allure fugitiues and at last hauing assembled an armie chaseth out the King of the Dandarides and inioyeth his kingdome Which being vnderstoode and looking euerie hower that he would inuade the Bosphoran Aquila and Cotys distrustring their owne forces because Zorsines King of the Soraci had taken armes againe sought for forreine aide and sent Ambassadors to Eunones King of the Adorsian nation being no hard matter to draw him to their fellowship after he had declared what oddes there was between the Roman forces and the rebell Mithradates Whereupon they agreed that Eunones should haue charge of the horsemen and the Romains besiege townes Then hauing mustered their armie in order they marche in battell aray the Adorsi defending the front and the rereward the cohorts and Bosphorani the middle battell armed after our fashion And so driuing backe the enimie we came to Soza the chiefe towne of Dandarica which Mithradates forsooke where we left a garrison as being doubtfull of the inhabitants fidelitie From thence they marched to the Soraci and hauing passed the riuer Panda they besieged the citie Vspe situated on a high place fortified with wals and ditches sauing that the wals not being made of stone but of hurdles ioyned togither earth in the middle were too weake against the besiegers who hauing erected towres higher than the wals with fire and dartes disordered they besieged and had not the night broken off the battell the towne had beene assaulted and taken the same day The next day they sent Ambassadors to intreat for the free men but of slaues they offered ten thousand which the Conquerours refused And because that to slaie such as yeelded would be a cruell part and to keepe so great a multitude hard they thought it best to hold on the siege and kill them by right of warre and thereupon the signe was giuen to such souldiers as had scaled the wals to put them to the sword V. Mithradates being forsaken by Zorsines King of the Soraci ye eldeth to Eunones King of the Adorsi and came to Rome after he had made a peace THe slaughter of the Vspensiens stroke the rest into a feare thinking now that there was no safetie in any thing seeing their armes their fortresses high and hard places riuers and townes were forced alike Zorsines then long waighing with himselfe whether he should succour Mithradates desperate case or prouide for his fathers kingdome at length the loue of his countrey swaying him hauing giuen pledges he prostrated himselfe before the image of Caesar to the great glorie of the Roman armie which without any losse of bloodshed on his side came as it is most manifest victorious within three daies iourney of the riuer Tanais But in returning fortune was not alike bicause some of the shippes carried on the Taurian shores were by the Barbarians surprised the prefect of the cohorts and most of the Centurions slaine In the meane time Mithradates finding no safetie in armes debateth with himselfe whose mercie he should trie He feared his brother Cotys because he betrayed him once and was now his enimie There was none of the Romans of such authoritie that their promises should greatly be regarded in fine he addresseth himselfe to Eunones his enimie for priuate grudge but great and of better credit through the friendship newely contracted with vs. Therefore composing his countenance and attiring himselfe sutable to his present estate goeth to the Kings pallace and casting himselfe at his knees saith Behold here Mithradates whom by sea and by land you haue so manie yeeres sought Behold I am here of my owne voluntarie will Vse as thou wilt the sonne of great Achemenes which is the onely thing which the enimies haue not taken from me But Eunones moued with the nobilitie of the man the change of his fortune at his prayer which argued no base minde lifteth vp the suppliant and commendeth him that he had chosen the Adorsian nation and his right hand for obtayning of pardon And withall sendeth Ambassadors and letters to Caesar with these contents That the first friendship betwixt the Emperours and Kings of other mightie nations proceeded of conformitie and likenes of fortune but Claudius amitie and his of a victorie common to them both That the end of warre were most notable when peace was made with pardoning So when Zorsinus was conquered nothing was taken from him for Mithradates although he had deserued woorse no power no kingdome was intreated for but onely that he might not be lead in triumphe and lose his life Neuerthelesse Claudius although he were milde and gentle towards forreine nobilitie yet doubted whether it were best for him to receiue the captiue vnder condition of life or demaund him by force of armes For on one side the griefe of iniuries receiued and desire of reuenge pricked him and on the other reasons to the contrarie That he should take a warre in hand in a hard conntrey and a hauenlesse sea withall that the Kings were fierce and the people scattered and the soile fruitlesse and needy of victuals then that lingering would bring tediousnes and haste danger the praise should be small to the conquerers the infamie great if they tooke the repulse therfore it were best to take the offer and keepe the exiled who being poore how much the longer he liued so much the more punishment he should indure Mooued with these reasons he wrote to Eunones In verie truth that Mithradates deserued examplarie punishment neither wanted he power to execute it neuerthelesse it hath seemed best vnto our predecessors to vse as great benignitie towards humble suppliants as hard and rigorous dealing towards the enimie for triumphes were gotten of whole nations and kingdomes Then Mithradates was deliuered and carried to Rome by Iunius Celo Procurator of Pontus and thought to haue spoken more boldly to Caesar then his estate required His speech was carried to the people in these termes I am not sent backe vnto thee but am come and if thou beleeue me not let me goe and trie There appeered no signe of feare in his countenance when as garded with keepers neere vnto the court he was shewen vnto the people The Consularie ornaments were giuen to Colo and the Pretorian to Aquila VI. The death of Lollia Paulina through Agrippinaes iealousie Calpurnia driuen out of Italie VNder the same Consuls Agrippina boiling with deadly hatred and malice against Lollia because she had contended with her for the marrying of the Prince left no meanes vnsought vntill she had stirred vp some to accuse her of conference had with the Chaldeans and Magicians and counsell asked of the idoll of Apollo Clarius concerning the Emperours marriage Hereupon Claudius the defendant vnhard hauing spoken much before the Senate of her noblenes of birth that she was L. Volusius sisters daughter that Cotta Messallinus was her great vncle and she once wife
Vologeses was not yet moued to warre because he had rather debate the matter by reason then by force But if they would persist in warre the Arsacides should neither want courage nor fortune often experimented to the losse of the Romans Hereupon Corbulo knowing well that Velogeses was troubled with the Hircanians rebellion perswadeth Tiridates to deale with Caesar by intreatie that he might obtaine a firme possession of a kingdome without bloudshed if leauing of a long and slow hope he would imbrace that which was present and more sure Then they resolued because by entercourse of messengers they profited nothing for the full knitting vp of peace to appoint time and place for a parlie Tiridates sayd that he would come with a thousand horse for his gard how many of whatsoeuer sort of souldiers Corbulo should bring he weighed it not so as they came without curasses helmets as a better shew of peace The barbarous treacherie was palpable to all men much more to an old circumspect captaine therfore a small number was limited on one part and a greater permitted to the other that the treason might be the better effected for to oppose against practised horsemen archers vnarmed men the multitude would auaile nothing Yet Corbulo making as though he had not perceiued the treason answered that publick affaires would better be debated in the face of both the whole armies And for the purpose chose a place whereof the one part had hils of an easie ascent fit for ranks of footemen the other stretched out into a plaine conuenient to display troupes of horsemen And the day agreed on Corbulo appeared first in this order He placed the cohorts of allies and succours sent by Kings in the wings and in the middle the sixt legion among which he had intermingled three thousand of the third sent for by night from other garrisons with one ensigne as if all were but one legion Tiridates the day being well spent shewed himselfe aloofe where he might better be seene then heard so the Romaine captaine without parlie commaunded his souldiers to depart euery man to his owne camp The King either suspecting fraude because our men went at once to diuers places or to intercept our prouision of victuals comming from the sea of Pontus and the towne Trapezunt maketh away with all speede But he could not hinder the comming of the victuals because it was brought through mountaines possessed by our owne garrisons and Corbulo because the warre should draw to an end and the Armenians constrained to defend their owne goeth about to raze their Castels IX Corbulo hauing taken the Castles destroyeth Artaxata the chiefe towne of the countrey COrbulo chose to himselfe the strongest place of the countrey called Volandum to assault the lesser he committeth to Cornelius Flaccus Lieutenant and Isteus Capito camp-maister Then surueying his forces and seeing all things in a readines for the assault incourageth his souldiers to vnnestle the vagabond enemie neither readie for peace nor warre acknowledging by his fleeing away his perfidiousnes and cowardise and so win at once both glory and wealth After this hauing deuided his armie into foure parts he lead some close and thicke ranked together for a target fence to vndermine and beate downe the rampire others to scale the walles others to let flee fire and darts out of engins of warre the sling-casters and stone-throwers had a place appointed them from whence they might a farre off throw pellets of yron and stone that the besieged might haue no refuge or comfort of one another all places being full of like feare The courage of the assailants was so great that within the third part of the day the wals were naked of defendants the gates broken downe the fortresse scaled and all of lawfull yeeres put to the sword no one souldier lost on our side and verie few hurt the weake and vnable people were sold in a portsale and made slaues the rest of the bootie fell to the Conquerours share The Lieutenant and camp-master had the like fortune three castles taken in one day the rest for feare and by consent of the inhabitants yeelded which encouraged the Romans to set on Artaxata the chiefe towne of the countrey Yet the legions were not brought the next way bicause that passing the riuer Araxis which washeth the wals by the bridge they should haue come vnder the danger of blowes but went ouer a farre off at broade foordes But Tiridates assailed with seare and shame least if he should suffer the besieging he might seeme not to be able to succour it if hinder it encomber himselfe and his horsemen in dangerous and difficult places resouled in the end to shew his armie in battell aray and a day appointed giue the onset or making as though he would flee dresse an ambush Whereupon on a sudden he enuironeth the Romans our Captaine not ignorant thereof who had marshalled his armie in such aray that it might both march on and fight On the right side the third legion on the left the sixt marched in the middle a companie chosen out of the tenth the carriages betweene the rankes and a thousand horsemen in the rereward with commaundement that they should resist and make head against the enimie if they passed in but if they sled not to follow In the wings went the footemen archers with the residue of the horsemen the left wing stretched somewhat longer to the bottome of the hils that if the enimie should enter on them he should haue beene receiued both in the front and middle Tiridates on the contrarie side came about the Romans freely yet not within a darts cast now threatning now making as though he were afraide and so retiring to see whether we would open or breake our rankes to follow and so entrap vs being scattered But not seeing any thing disordered nor any ranke broken by rashnes and onely one vnder Captaine of horsemen ventring boldlier then the rest to haue beene slaine with an arrow and the rest by his example to obey the night being almost come he departed Corbulo hauing pitched his campe in the same place considered with himselfe whether he should goe by night to Artaxata and besiege it with light and vncumbered legions supposing that Tiridates had retired thither Then the scouts hauing brought intelligence that the King had taken a longer iourney doubtfull whether to the Medes or Persians he staied vntill it was day sending before a companie lightly armed to enuiron the wals and beginne the assault a farre off But the townesmen opening the gates of their owne accord yeelded themselues and all they had to the Romans whereby their liues were saued But Artaxata was burnt and raced to the ground because it could not be kept without a strong garrison by reason of the compasse of the wals and our forces were not so great that we could leaue there a sufficient garrison and withall keepe the field or if she should be left standing and
ensignes and marched on ouerthrew such as encountered them and thrust them among their owne fires Which being done they placed garrisons in their townes and cut down their woods which through their execrable superstitions among them were reckoned holie For they accounted it lawfull to offer sacrifice at their altars with the blood of captiues and aske counsell of their gods by the aspect of mans intrailes and fibres Newes came to Suetonius as he atchieued this enterprise of a sudden rebellion of the Prouince Prasutagus King of the Icenians verie famous for his riches a long time gotten made Caesar with two of his daughters his heire by will thinking that by that flatterie his kingdome and house should haue beene warranted from iniurie which fell out otherwise for his kingdome by Centurions his house by slaues was wasted spoiled as lawfull booties And to begin withall his wife Boudicea was whipped his daughters defloured And the chiefest of the Icenians as though they had receiued the whole nation for a pray were dispossessed of al their ancient inheritance the Kings kindred reputed as slaues By reason of which contumely feare of worse after that they were reduced into a forme of a prouince they take armes againe the Trinobantes being sturred to rebellion also others not yet broken to the yoke of seruitude by secret conspiracies had vowed to recouer their libertie bearing a bitter hatred against the old souldiers For those which were lately brought into the colonie of Camalodunum thrust out of their houses the auncient inhabitants tooke their liuings from them calling them captiues and slaues the new soldiers fauouring the insolent fiercenes of the old as well for likenesse and conformitie of life as hope of like licence Besides a temple erected in honor of Claudius of famous memory was an eye sore and an altar of perpetuall dominion ouer them and the Priests which were chosen vnder colour of religion wasted all the wealth of the inhabitants Neither did it seeme any hard matter to extirpate that colonie vndefensed and vnfortified which was not circumspectly foreseene by our captaines whilest they had a greater care of pleasure then good gouernment Amongst these things the image of Victorie set vp in Camalodunum fell downe without any apparant cause why and turned back as though it would giue place to the enemie And the women distempered with furie went singing that destruction was at hand And strange noises were heard in their court and the Theater gaue a sound like to a howling and a strange apparition in an arme of the sea was a foretelling of the subuersion of the colonie Further the Ocean bloudie in shew and dead mens bodies left after an ebbe as they brought hope to the Britaines so they droue the old soldiers into a feare who because Suetonius was farre off craued aide of Catus Decianus procurator He sent not aboue two hundred men and those badly armed and the number not great which was there before trusted to the franchise of the temple And those hindering which were confederates of the secret conspiracie troubled their deseignments for they neither made trench nor ditch nor sending away the old men and women and keeping the yong men only being as secure as it had beene in a full peace they were surprised with a multitude of barbarous people and all ouerthrowne and wasted with violence or consumed with fire the temple only excepted into which the souldiers had fled which also within two dayes was besieged and taken And the Britaine being thus conqueror and meeting with Paetus Cerealis Lieutenant of the ninth legion which came to succour them put to flight the legion and slew all the footemen Cerealis with the horsemen escaped to the campe and defended himselfe in the fortresses Through which ouerthrow and hate of the prouince driuen to take armes through the auarice of the Romaines Catus the procurator being afraid sailed to Gallia But Suetonius with wonderfull constancie passing euen among the enemies went on to London not greatly famous by the name of a colonie but for concourse of Merchants and prouision of all things necessary of great fame and renowme and being come thither stoode doubtfull whether he should choose that for the seate of warre or not and considering the small store of souldiers he had and how Petilius had well payed for his rashnes he determined with the losse of one towne to preserue the rest whole Neither was he won by weeping and teares to giue aide to such as demaunded it but gaue signe of remouing and receiued such as followed as part of his armie If imbecillitie of sexe or wearisomnes of age or pleasantnes of the place kept any back they were all put to the sword by the enemie The free towne of Verulamium receiued the like ouerthrow because the barbarians forsaking their Castels and forts and being well manned spoiled the richest and fattest and carrying it to a sure place glad of the bootie went on to places more notable It is certaine there were slaine in those places I haue spoken of to the number of seuentie thousand citizens and confederates Neither did they sell or take any one prisoner or vse any entercourse of traffick of warre but kill hang burne crucifie as though they would requite the measure they had suffered and as it were in the meane time hasten to anticipate reuenge XI Suetonius vanquished the Britaines vvhich Boudicea conducted her stoutnes and death NOw Suetonius hauing with him the foureteenth legion with the Standard bearers of the twentith and the aides from places adioyning which came all to the number almost of ten thousand armed men resolued to lay aside all delay and trie the chaunce of a maine battell And chooseth a place with a narrow entrance and inclosed behinde with a wood being well assured that he had no enimies but before him and that the plaine was wide without feare of ambush The legionarie souldier then marshalled togither in thicke and close rankes and the light harnessed closely about them the horsemen made the wings But the Britaines forces triumphed abroade in troupes and companies by such multitudes that the like had not beene seene and of such fiercenes of courage that they brought their wiues with them and placed them in carts in the vtmost parts of the plaine as witnesses of the victorie Boudicea hauing her daughters by her in a chariot now going to one now to another Told them that the Britaines were woont to make warre vnder the conduct of women But at that time not as though she had descended of such noble auncestors she sought neither for kingdome nor wealth but a reuenge as one of the common people of their lost libertie of her bodie beaten with stripes and the chastitie of her daughters violated That the desire of the Romaines was growen to that passe that they left none of what age soeuer nor any virgin vndefiled Neuertheles that the gods fauored iust reuenge
an enemie and therefore credited his counsell as faithfull Vologeses therefore was not implacablie head-strong * and demaunded truce vnto some gouerments Tiridates requireth place and day of parley A short time was assigned the place where of late the legions were besieged with Paetus seeing it was chosen by the Barbarians in remembraunce of their ioyfull hap was not refused by Corbulo that the diuersitie of fortune might augment his glorie Neither was Paetus infamie increased which appeered plainely in that he commaunded his sonne who was Tribune to appoint certaine bands to burie and couer the dead bodies of the vnfortunate conflict VII Tiridates speaketh with Corbulo and yeeldeth vp the crovvne of Armenia in the Roman campe THe day appointed Tiberius Alexander a noble gentleman of Rome giuen as an aide to the warre and Viuianus Annius Corbuloes sonne in lawe not yet of age to be Senator but assigned in the place of the Lieutenant of the fift legion came to Tiridates campe to do him honour and that hauing such pledges he should feare no treacherie And then were taken twentie horsemen on each side And the King seeing Corbulo lighted first from his horse and Corbulo did the like immediately and both of them on foote ioyned right hands Then the Roman praised the yoong Prince that leauing dangerous vncertainties he would imbrace sure and wholesome counsell Tiridates hauing spoken much of the noblenes of his stocke in the rest was temperate saying that he would goe to Rome and bring Caesar newe glorie Arsacides humblie intreating the Parthians being daunted with no aduerse encounter Then seemed it good that Tiridates should lay his royall crowne before Caesars image and not take it againe but at the hand of Nero and so the speech was ended with a short salutation A few dayes after with a great pomp on both parts they shewed themselues his horsemen ranged into troupes on one side with the ensignes of his countrey and on the other the armie of the legions marshalled in order with glittering standards and ensignes and images of the gods in manner of a temple In the middle was planted a tribunall and in it a chaire of estate with Neroes image vnto which Tiridates went and sacrifices offered according to the custome taketh the crowne from his head and laide it vnder the image which troubled the minds of such as had yet before their eyes the slaughter and besieging of the Romane armies But now fortune was changed and Tiridates a spectacle to the people how much better then a captiue Corbulo added to his glorie courtesie and feastings and as the King marked any strange thing and asked the cause as the beginnings of the watches brought by the Centurion the banket ended with a trumpet the pile of wood before the Augural altar lighted with a torch Corbulo made him answere extolling euery thing more then it was to draw the new Prince into an admiration of the old custome The last day when he was to take his iourney he desired time to visit his brothers and mother before his departure and left his daughter for an hostage in the meane space and letters of submission to be sent to Nero. And departed thence he found Pacorùs with the Medes and Vologeses at Ecbatanes not vnmindfull of his brother for he had requested of Corbulo by speciall messengers that Tiridates might not shew any token of seruitude or deliuer vp his weapons or be barred from imbracing the gouernors of prouinces or attend at their dores but haue the same honor at Rome that the Consuls had Being accustomed to forren pride he was vnacquainted with our manners with whom the lawe of rule and dominion beareth sway vanities being laid aside The same yeere Caesar honored the nations of the sea Alpes with the rights and priuiledges of the Latians and in the Cirque placed the Gentlemen of Rome before the people For vntill that day they sate indifferently because the lawe Roscian had taken no order but for foureteene orders A shew of Fencers was represented that yeere with like magnificence as others before but many noble women and Senators wiues were discredited in the Theater VIII Nero singeth on the stage The fall of the same stage Torquatus Silanus death Nero attired like a woman weddeth Pythagoras C. Lecanius and M. Licinius being Consuls Nero more and more desired to frequent the stage without any respect for as yet he had not song but in his house and gardens in plaies of youth which now he despised as not frequented and too meane for such a voice Yet he durst not begin at Rome but chose Naples as a Greeke citie thinking that that might serue for a commencement to goe to Achaia where hauing obtained the famous and in times past reputed sacred crownes by that meanes grown in credit he thought he should stur a great desire in the citizens of Rome to heare him The cōmón rabble flocked together or such as the fame of those plaies had drawne frō the next colonies townes and such as followed him either to do him honor or sundrie other occasions yea companies of souldiers filled the Theater of Naples There hapned as most men thought a dolefull chance but yet as he construed it foretokening good luck and sent by the fauorable prouidence of the gods For the people were no sooner gone and the Theater emptie but it fell downe without hurt done to any Therfore with songs composed for the purpose thanking the gods and celebrating the fortune of the late chance going to the Adriatike sea he stayed in the meane time at Beneuentum where by Vatinius was exhibited a notable play of Fencers Vatinius was one of the shamelest monsters of his court brought vp in a coblers shop mishapen of bodie and a scurrile iester and therefore first emploied in that practise then by pickthanking and informing against the better sort grew to such authoritie that in credit and wealth and power of doing hurt he was worse then the worst Nero then comming to the play he had set forth no not at their pastime did they abstaine from doing of mischiefe For the selfesame daye Torquatus Silanus was constrained to dye because that besides the noblenes of the Iunian familie he sayd that he was in the fourth degree lineally descended from Augustus of famous memorie The accusers were commaunded to lay to his charge that he was prodigall in gifts and that all his hope lay in the alteration of the state And that he had noble men about him which he called his Secretaries maisters of requests Auditors which were names of imperiall dignitie and deseignments of great attempts Then the chiefest of his freed men were bound and caried away And when Torquatus condemnation was at hand he cut the vaines of his armes and Nero as his manner was made an oration after that although he had beene culpable and worthily distrusted his purgation yet he should haue had his life graunted him if he would haue expected the
the auncient manner Nero was against it suffering them to make choise of their manner of death for such kinde of scoffes were vsed after the murders committed P. Gallus a gentleman of Rome because he was inward with Fenius and not an enemie to Vetus was banished the freed man and accuser rewarded for his paines and a place giuen him in the Theater among the beadles of the Tribunes And the month of May which followed Aprill and called Nero was changed into the name of Claudius and Iuly into Germanicus and Cornelius Ofitus whose censure that was saide that therefore the month of Iune was past ouer because two of the Torquatus alreadie executed for their misdemeanors had made the name of Iune vnluckie A yeere continued with so many lewd actions the gods haue marked and made notorious by tempests and diseases Campania was destroied with boisterous stormes of windes which did euerie where beat downe houses woods and graine and brought the violence of it to places adioyning to the citie Where the rage of the pestilence spared none although there was no manifest shew of corruption of the aire to be seene Yet the houses were filled with dead bodies and the waies with funerals no sexe no age free from danger as well bond as free borne indifferently perished amidst the lamentations of their wiues and children who whilest they sat by them and bewailed were often burnt in the same funerall fire The death of gentlemen and Senators although in different with others lesse lamented as though they had by a common mortalitie preuented the Princes crueltie The same yeere they mustered in Gallia Narbonensis Affrick and Asia to supplie the legions of Illyria which worne out either with yeeres or sickenes were freede from their oath The Prince relieued the oalamitie of Lugdunum with fortie hundred thousand sesterces to recouer the losses of their citie which summe of money the Lugdunenses had before bestowed in troubled times III. The death of certaine noble men for desire of their wealth or other iealousies C. Suetonius and L. Telesinus being Confuls Antistius Sosianus banished as I haue sayd before for making slanderous verses against Nero vnderstanding that pickthankes were so honored and the Prince so forward to murders busie minded and not slow in taking hold of occasions insinuateth himselfe through conformitie of fortune into the fauour of Pammenes a banished man of the same place and for his skill in the Chaldean arte supported by the friendship of many This Antistius supposing that messages and consultations came not to him in vaine vnderstandeth withall that he had money yeerely supplied him by P. Anteius Neither was he ignorant that Anteius through the loue he bare to Agrippina was hatefull to Nero that his wealth as it had beene of others might be a motiue to procure his destruction Whereupon hauing intercepted Anteius letters and stolne his writings wherin the day of his natiuitie and things to come were hidden among Pammenes secrets and withall found those things which had beene composed of the birth and life of Ostorius Scapula writeth to the Prince that he would bring him great newes touching his owne safetie if he might obtaine a short intermission of his banishment for Anteius and Ostorius watch for opportunitie to lay hold on the soueraigntie and searched out their owne and Caesars destinies Therupon swift vessels were sent Sosianus brought with all speed And his accusation diuulged Anteius and Ostorius were reckoned rather among the condemned than accused in so much that no man would haue sealed Anteius testament if Tigellinus had not beene their warrant Anteius was first admonished not to delay the making of his testament but he hauing drunken poison weary of the slow working of it by cutting his vaines hastened his death Ostorius at that time was farre off in the confines of Liguria whither a Centurion was sent to make him away with all speed The cause of the haste proceeded of that that Ostorius being for matter of warre of good reckoning and deserued in Britannie a ciuicall crowne of a mightie strength of bodie and skilfull in armes droue Nero into a feare least he should assaile him alwaies timorous fearfull but then more then euer through the conspiracie lately detected The Centurion therfore when he had beset al escaping places openeth to Ostorius the Emperours cōmandement He conuerted against himself his courage often tried against the enimy And bicause his vaines whē they were opened yeelded but little blood vsing the hand of his slaue only to take out a rapier hold it stedfast he drew his right hand to him and ranne himselfe through the necke If I should haue written of forrein wars and deaths sustained for the common-wealth with diuers other accidents chances yet I should not only haue seemed tedious to my selfe but to others also abhorring the deaths of citizens being dolefull and continuall although honorable But now a seruile patience and so much bloode lost at home doth trouble my minde and oppresse it with griefe Neither do I require any other defence or excuse of those who shall know these things but that they hate them not for dying so cowardly That was certainely the anger of the gods against the Roman state which ought not so easily be runne ouer with once writing as in the ouerthrow of armies or taking of townes Let this prerogatiue be giuen the posteritie of worthie personages that as how they are distinguished from the confuse multitude in the solemnitie of their funerals so in the deliuerie of their last ends that they may receiue and haue a proper and peculiar memorie For within a fewe daies by the same violent course Annaeus Mella Cerialis Anicius Rufus Crispinus and C. Petronius perished Mella and Crispinus were gentlemen of Rome and equall in dignitie with Senators Crispinus once Captaine of the guarde and honored with Consularie ornaments and of late through the conspiracie exiled into Sardinia hauing receiued tydings he should die slew himselfe Mella borne of the same parents as Gallius and Seneca forbare purchasing of dignities by a preposterous ambition to the end that a Roman gentleman might be equalled in authoritie to the Consuls Withall he thought it a shorter course of getting wealth to mannage the affaires of the prince in quality of a Procurator The same Mella was Annaeus Lucanus father which was a great credit to him but after his death seeking out too narrowly his goods stirred vp an accuser against him one Fabius Romanus one of Lucans familiar friends which falsly fathered vpō him the father the priuitie of the conspiracie by counterfeiting of Lucans letters which Nero hauing perused commanded to be caried him gaping after his wealth But Mella which was then the readiest way to death loosed his vaines hauing bestowed in his testament a huge summe of money vpon Tigellinus and on his sonne in law Cossutianus Capito that the rest might stand good He added to his will as it were a complaint
which was the first time that Tiberius shewed himselfe greedie of other mens money Sosia was driuen into banishment by Asinius Gallus Consull who also aduised that part of the goods should be confiscate part left vnto his children But Lepidus contrarily that the fourth part of the goods should be giuen to the informers according to the law and the residue to his children I finde that this Lepidus was in those dayes a graue and wise man who altered into the better many things which others by cruell flatterie had ordained which he did with such moderation that he kept in with Caesar in no lesse fauour then authoritie Which causeth me to doubt whether it happen as in other things by fatall destinie and natiuitie that Princes are fauorably enclined to some and to others hardly bent or whether anything consist in our counsels to single out a course free from ambition and danger betweene selfewill stubbornes and filthy flattery But Messallinus Cotta being no lesse nobly descended differing from Lepidus was of opinion that by decree of Senat it should be ordained that gouernors of prouinces though faultles themselues yet should be punished for their wiues crimes no lesse then for their owne VI. Calphurnius Piso accused and condemned The last vvarre vvith Tacfarinas and his death AFter this they debated Calphurnius Pisos case a noble man and of a fierce courage He as I haue said seeing what credit pickthanks were in openly protested in Senate that he woulde depart the citie and little regarding the authoritie of Augusta was so bolde as to sommon Vrgulania out of the princes house which Tiberius for the present seemed not to take in euill part But bearing it in minde although the heate of displeasure was cooled yet he forgat it not Granius also accused Piso of secret speeches vsed against the maiestie of the emperour adding that he had poison in his house and that he entered the Senate house with a weapon This of the weapon was past ouer as not credible but for other things aggreuated against him he was arrained but not conuicted bicause he was preuented by death Afterward Cassius Seuerus cause was handeled a banished man of base parentage and lewde life but a great Orator Who had raised so many enimies against him that by the iudgement of the Senate sworne he was confined to Creet where following the like practises drew on his head old and new hatred and at last being depriued of all his goods and banished spent the rest of his life in the Ilande Seriphium About the same time Plautius Siluanus Pretor the cause why not knowen threwe his wife Apronia downe headlong from a high place And being brought before Caesar by L. Apronius his father in lawe as a man troubled in minde answered as though she had killed hir-selfe when he was a sleepe and wholy ignorant of the matter Tiberius goeth foorthwith to his house and searcheth the chamber where he perceiued by the print of hir feete tokens of hir striuing against him and the thrusting of hir foreward which he reported to the Senate And Iudges appointed to examine the fact Vrgulania Siluanus grandmother sent hir nephewe a poniard to dispatch himselfe which some thought to haue beene done by the princes counsell by reason of the league of friendship betwixt Augusta and Vrgulania Siluanus hauing tried in vaine to kill himselfe with the poniard in the end caused his vaines to be cut Not long after Numantina his first wife accused by charms and witchcrafts to haue put hir husband out of his wits found innocent is quit by the prince That yeare the people of Rome was deliuered of a long warre against Tacfarinas the Numidian For the captaines which till then had beene sent against him hauing obtained the markes of triumph sought no further how to extinguish the enimie For there were now three images in the citie crowned with baies and Tacfarinas still continued spoiling and forraging Affrica and augmented his forces by the aide of the Moores which vnder Ptolemy Iubaes sonne a carelesse youth changed their seruile state and gouerment of freed men into warre The king of the Garamantes was a receiuer and partaker of his booties and pillages not that hee marched with an armie but onely by sending light horsemen which a farre off were thought to be more then indeed they were And in the prouince it selfe some for need and som of a turbulent humor ioined with him bicause Caesar considering how well Blaesus had bestirred himselfe called home the ninth legion as though there had beene no enimies left at all in Affrica And Dolabella Proconsull for that yeere durst not staie them fearing more the commandement of the prince then the incertaintie and danger of the warre Vpon this Tacfarinas gaue it out that the Romans had their hands full were distracted with other nations and therefore purposed by little and little to retire out of Affrike And then that the rest might easilie bee ouercome if all which preferred libertie before seruitude woulde ioine and couragiously bend their forces against them and gathering more strength encampeth before Thubuscum and laieth siege to it But Dolabella drawing all the forces hee could make into one partly the name of the Romans striking a terror into their harts partly bicause the Numidian is not able to indure the force of the footemen at the first encounter leuied the siege fortified the most conuenient places and withall beheaded the chiefest of the Musulani which began to reuolt In the end taught by experience of so many battels that this fleeting enimie was not to be pursued with a maine campe Dolabella sent for King Ptolemy with his countriemen and diuided his forces into fower companies vnder the charge of seuerall Lieutenants and Tribunes The out-riders and forragers were conducted by certaine chosen Moores himselfe at hand to giue direction to all Not long after tydings came that Tacfarinas had encamped and erected cabins at an old ruinous fort which himselfe had once burnt called Auzea trusting to the place being inuironed with mightie great woods Then the light horsemen and wings not knowing whither were lead away withall speed And at the dawning of the day with the sound of trumpets and a dreadfull noise set on the enimies halfe sleeping halfe waking their horses vnreadie or dispersed abroad at pasture The Romans footemen were close ranked the troupes of horsemen in good order all things in a readines for battell The enimie on the other side in all things vnprouided had neither weapons order nor counsell among them but were haled taken and slaine like beasts And euerie souldier irked with the remembrance of his labours and how oft desirous to cope with the enimie he had beene deluded fild himselfe with reuenge and blood Aduertisement was brought from one companie to another to pursue Tacfarinas well knowen to them all and that there would be no ende of that warre if the Captaine were not slaine But he with a chosen
guard about him seeing his sonne alreadie taken and the Romans on euerie side of him rushing in among their weapons with the losse of his life escaped captiuitie And that was the end of that warre Dolabella desiring the honour of triumphe Tiberius denied it him and gaue it Seianus least his vncle Blaesus commendation should be obscured But Blaesus was neuer the more esteemed and the denying of the honour to Dolabella augmented his honour bicause that with a lesser armie he had taken manie notable prisoners slaine the Captaine and caried away the fame of ending the warre The Ambassadors of the Garamantes a people seldome seene in the citie came after the death of Tacfarinas all astonied as being of the conspiracie to satisfie the people of Rome After this Tiberius vnderstanding of Ptolemaeus diligence in his warres renuing the old custome sent one of the Senators to him with an Iuorie staffe and embrodered or wrought gowne which were woont to be the auncient gifts of the Lords of the Senat and to giue him the greater honor called him King companion and friend of the people of Rome VII A rebellion of bond-slaues suppressed Serenus accused by his owne sonne THe same sommer beginnings of warre attempted in Italie by bond-men were suppressed by meere chaunce The beginner of this tumult was T. Curtisius sometimes a souldier of a Pretorian band who at the first in secret conuenticles in Brundisium and townes adioyning then by writings publikly spread abroad tolled to libertie the rude and fierce bond-slaues dispersed in the woods when by the fauour of the gods there arriued three Galleies for the vse of passengers in that sea And Curtius Lapius rent gatherer in those countries vnto whom by lot fell the Prouince Cales according to the auncient custome hauing in a readines a power of sea souldiers discomfited the conspirators who then did but begin their enterprise Caesar sent out of hand Staius a Tribune with a strong Power who brought the Captaine himselfe and the ringleaders of this bold attempt to the citie greatly afeard of the multitude of bond-men which increased to a huge number the free borne decreasing dayly more and more The same men being Consuls there happened a bloodie example of calamitie and crueltie the sonne accusing the father both called Q. Vibius Serenus both brought before the Lords of the Senat the father out of banishment deformed poore and vnhandsome bound in chaines and his sonne pleading against him who finely and featly attired with a cheerefull countenance affirmed that secret practises had beene wrought against the Prince and certaine firebrands of war sent into Gallia to raise a rebellion himselfe being both accuser and witnes He charged Caecilius Cornutus once Pretor to haue furnished them with money who through the wearisomnes of trouble accounting the danger his bane hastened his owne death But contrarily the defendant stoutly turning towards his sonne shaking his irons called the gods to reuenge praying that they would send him to exile againe to lead his life far from such customs and inflict condigne punishment vpon his son And affirmed constantly that Cornutus was innocent and frighted with a false accusation which should easily be perceiued if some others were appeached also for himselfe could not practise the death of the Prince and an innouation with one only companion Then the accuser named Gn. Lentulus and Seius Tubero Caesar himselfe being ashamed to heare the chiefe of the citie and his deerest friends Lentulus very aged and Tubero of a weake body accused of raising a rebellion and disturbing the common-wealth and therefore both were incontinently acquited The fathers bondmen were put to the racke which made against the accuser who through the wickednes of his fact growing halfe frantick and terrified with the speech of the people which threatned either to cast him headlong from the Robur or draw him in peeces or punish him as a parricide departed the citie but brought back from Rauenna was forced to end his accusation Tiberius nothing at all dissembling the old grudge he bare Serenus the banished For after Libos condemnation by letters he vpbraided Caesar that his seruice only was vnrecompensed with some other things more peremptorily then safely to prowd eares and readie to take offence Eight yeeres after Caesar cast this in his dish many waies carping his actions in the meane space although contrary to his expectation through the constancie of his bondmen the rack could extort nothing against him When all had giuen sentence that Serenus should be punished according to the auncient custome Tiberius to bleare their eyes and dissemble his grudge would not allow of the sentence Gallus Asinius was of opinion that he should be confined in Gyarum or Donusa which he misliked also saying that both those Ilands wanted water and that to whome life was graunted things necessary for life ought to be graunted whereupon Serenus was caried backe to Amorgum And because Cornutus had slaine himselfe it was propounded in Senat whether the informers should loose their rewards if any arraigned only of treason and not condemned slew himself Which they had all followed if Caesar had not sharply and openly contrary to his accustomed manner complained in defence of the informers saying that by that meanes the lawes would be brought to nothing and the common wealth run to ruine and that it were more tollerable to abolish the lawes themselues then take away the keepers of them By this meanes the promooters a race of men found out for a common ouerthrow and destruction and neuer duly punished were allured with rewards These continuall causes of sorrow were sauced with some small contentment for C. Cominius a gentleman of Rome conuicted of scandalous verses against Tiberius was pardoned at the intreatie of his brother a Senator A strange case that knowing what was best for sottish or senseles he was not and what fame followed clemencie yet he desired rather cause of heauines and sorrow Neither is it a matter of deepe insight to know the peoples affection when they extoll Princes actions from the hart and when from the teeth outward And Tiberius himselfe at other times cunningly premeditating his words and with staggering and stammering deliuering his minde yet when he meaneth good in deed vnto any findeth his toong readie and loose But when P. Suilius somtimes rent gatherer to Germanicus was conuict for taking of money for giuing iudgment therfore expulsed Italie his opinion was that he should be banished into some Iland and that with such vehemencie that he bound it with an oath to be profitable for th ecommon wealth Which for the present time was taken for a rigorous sentence but after Suilius returne turned to his commendation whome subsequent times sawe mightie but a slaue to money a long time as he lusted but neuer as he ought vsing Prince Claudius friendship The same punishment was ordained against Catus Firmius a Senator as falsly accusing his sister of treason Catus as I